Combination electrosurgical device

ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical device comprising: (a) forceps including: (i) a first working arm and (ii) a second working arm; (b) a blade electrode; wherein the electrosurgical device is capable of being switched between a first electrical configuration so that the electrosurgical device delivers a first therapy current through the first working arm, the second working arm, or both, and a second electrical configuration so that the electrosurgical device delivers a second therapy current through the blade electrode; and wherein the first working arm and the second working arm of the forceps are immobilized in the second electrical configuration so that both the forceps and the first therapy current are disabled.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to an electrosurgical device thatcan supply both monopolar power and bipolar power during a surgicalprocedure, and specifically to electrical forceps that can bemechanically reconfigured and/or electronically reconfigured to provideboth monopolar power and bipolar power during open surgery.

BACKGROUND

Typically, electrosurgical devices have stand-alone monopolarcapabilities or bipolar capabilities. Thus, a surgeon before a procedurebegins may select either a device with monopolar capabilities or adevice with bipolar capabilities and the surgeon can use the device toapply either monopolar power or bipolar power. For example, if thesurgeon selects a monopolar device and monopolar power is not desiredfor the surgical procedure the surgeon may use either the device thatsupplies monopolar power to perform the procedure or switch to a devicewith bipolar capabilities. Both of these devices may be used to performthe procedure, however, switching between devices and/or using a devicethat may be better suited for a different purpose may disturb theprocedure flow, cause unnecessary delays in the procedure, and in somecases result in less than optimal energy sources being used.

Generally, electrosurgical devices are connected to a generator thatproduces a therapy signal and provides power to the electrosurgicaldevice so that a therapy current is produced. However, the therapycurrents that may be used are limited by the generator and thus if thegenerator is only capable of producing a single therapy current thenonly one therapy current can be applied through the electrosurgicaldevice. Additionally, a generator may be capable of producing twotherapy circuits, but the electrosurgical device may only be capable ofcontrolling and applying a single therapy current. Thus, theelectrosurgical device may only apply a single therapy current. Someattempts have been made to produce a device that includes both monopolarcapabilities and bipolar capabilities in a single device.

Examples of some electrosurgical instruments may be found in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,110,171; 6,113,596; 6,190,386; 6,358,268; and 7,232,440; and U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0113827; 2005/0187512;2006/0084973; and 2012/0123405 all of which are incorporated byreference herein for all purposes. It would be attractive to have anelectrosurgical device that may be switched between a monopolarconfiguration and a bipolar configuration with one hand so that a usercan easily perform a desired task without the need to disrupt the flowof a procedure. It would be attractive to have an electrosurgical devicethat may be used in open surgery as forceps and may be used forelectrical cutting and/or hemostasis. What is needed is anelectrosurgical device with both monopolar capabilities and bipolarcapabilities where the monopolar capabilities are deactivated during useas a bipolar device and where the forceps are immobilized during use asa monopolar device. What is needed is an electrosurgical device thatproduces more therapy currents than a generator supplies signals (i.e.,generator modes) to the electrosurgical device. What is needed is anelectrosurgical device that is electrically reconfigurable so that theelectrosurgical device has fewer activation buttons then signals thatthe generator supplies (i.e., generator modes) yet is capable of beingelectrically reconfigured to apply all of the signals from thegenerator.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs byproviding: an electrosurgical device comprising: (a) forceps including:(I) a first working arm and (ii) a second working arm; (b) a bladeelectrode; wherein the electrosurgical device is capable of beingswitched between a first electrical configuration so that theelectrosurgical device delivers a first therapy current through thefirst working arm, the second working arm, or both, and a secondelectrical configuration so that the electrosurgical device delivers asecond therapy current through the blade electrode: and wherein thefirst working arm and the second working arm of the forceps areimmobilized in the second electrical configuration so that both theforceps and the first therapy current are disabled.

Another possible embodiment of the present teachings comprises: anelectrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: (a) a firstworking arm, (b) a second working arm, and (c) a blade electrode; and anactivation circuit having a first switch state and a second switchstate, wherein a therapy current is conducted between the first workingarm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in thesecond switch state and the handpiece is in a first position; whereinthe therapy current is conducted between the blade electrode, the firstworking arm, the second working arm, or a combination thereof and anadjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in thesecond switch state and the handpiece is in a second position; andwherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuitis in the first switch state.

Yet another possible embodiment of the present teachings provides: anelectrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: (a) a firstpower connector; (b) a second power connector; and (c) one or moremoveable members having a first position and a second position; and anactivation circuit having a first switch state and a second switchstate, wherein the activation circuit in the first switch state does notallow either a first electrosurgical therapy signal or a secondelectrosurgical therapy signal to exit the handpiece: wherein when theactivation circuit is in the second state and the one or more moveablemembers are in the first position the activation circuit allows thefirst electrosurgical therapy signal to exit the handpiece so that afirst therapy current extends between the first power connector and thesecond power connector, and wherein when the activation circuit is inthe second state and the one or more moveable members are in the secondposition the activation circuit allows the second electrosurgicaltherapy signal to exit the handpiece so that a second therapy currentextends between the first power connector and the second powerconnector.

Another possible embodiment of the present teachings provides: asurgical device comprising: (a) a handpiece (b) forceps including: (i) afirst arm and (ii) a second arm; (c) a blade; wherein the surgicaldevice is changeable between a first configuration so that the first armand second are configured as forceps and a second configuration so thatthe forceps are immobilized and the blade extends beyond the distal endsof the first arm and the second arm so the extendable blade isconfigured as a scalpel.

The teachings herein provide: an electrosurgical device comprising: (a)forceps including: (i) a first working arm and (ii) a second workingarm; (b) a blade electrode that is movable between a first position anda second position; wherein the electrosurgical device is capable ofbeing switched between a first electrical configuration so that theelectrosurgical device delivers a first therapy current through thefirst working arm, the second working arm, or both, and a secondelectrical configuration so that the electrosurgical device delivers asecond therapy current through the blade electrode; and wherein theblade electrode includes a slider that moves the blade electrode betweenthe first position and the second position.

The teachings herein provide: an electrosurgical device comprising: ahandpiece including: (i) a first working arm and (ii) a second workingarm; wherein the handpiece is covered by a movable housing that securesthe first working arm to the second working arm; wherein the proximalend where the two arms are secured together form a concave cross-sectionthat creates a cavity when the arms are closed; and wherein thehandpiece is configured as forceps that are movable between an openposition and a closed position.

The teachings herein provide: an electrosurgical device comprising: ablade electrode that is movable between a first position and a secondposition; wherein the electrosurgical device is capable of beingswitched between a first configuration, and a second configuration sothat the electrosurgical device delivers a therapy current through theblade electrode; and wherein the electrosurgical device include a springpin that extends into contact with the blade electrode so that power isprovided to the blade electrode through the spring pin when the bladeelectrode is in the second position.

The teachings herein provide an electrosurgical device that may beswitched between a monopolar configuration and a bipolar configurationwith one hand so that a user can easily perform a desired task withoutthe need to disrupt the flow of a procedure. The teachings hereinprovide an electrosurgical device that may be used in open surgery asforceps and may be used for electrical cutting and/or hemostasis. Theteachings herein provide an electrosurgical device with both monopolarcapabilities and bipolar capabilities where the monopolar capabilitiesare deactivated during use as a bipolar device and where the forceps areimmobilized during use as a monopolar device. The teachings hereinprovide an electrosurgical device that produces more therapy currentsthan a generator supplies signals (i.e., generator modes) to theelectrosurgical device. The present teachings provide an electrosurgicaldevice that is electrically reconfigurable so that the electrosurgicaldevice has fewer activation buttons then signals that the generatorsupplies (i.e., generator modes) yet is capable of being electricallyreconfigured to apply all of the signals from the generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electrosurgical device in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 2A illustrates the electrosurgical device of FIG. 1 in a monopolarconfiguration;

FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up view of the blade electrode immobilizedbetween the working arms;

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electrosurgical deviceof FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D1 illustrates a close-up view of a spring pin in FIG. 2C when theblade electrode is extended:

FIG. 2D2 illustrates a close-up view of a spring pin when the bladeelectrode is retracted;

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of the electrosurgical device ofFIG.

FIG. 3B illustrates a close-up view of the spring pin of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an example of anelectrosurgical device in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the electrosurgical device of FIG. 4in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an electrosurgical device;

FIG. 7 illustrates configuration bottom view of the electrosurgicaldevice of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a shuttle and bladeelectrode;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a slider assembly of an electrosurgicaldevice;

FIG. 10 illustrates another possible configuration of an electrosurgicaldevice in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of the electrosurgical device of FIG. 10in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 12 illustrates an electrosurgical device with a blade electrodeextending from a working arm while in the monopolar configuration;

FIG. 13 illustrates the electrosurgical device of FIG. 12 in a bipolarconfiguration;

FIG. 14 illustrates an end view of an example of working arms with achannel for the blade electrode;

FIG. 15 illustrates an end view of an example of solid working arms;

FIG. 16 illustrates the blade electrode rotated for side to sidecutting;

FIG. 17 illustrates the blade electrode rotated for up and down cutting;

FIG. 18A illustrates a cross-sectional view of working arms grippingtissue;

FIG. 16B illustrates the electrosurgical device in the bipolarconfiguration with power passing between the working arms;

FIG. 19A illustrates a plan view of power passing between a monopolarelectrode and tissue;

FIG. 19B illustrates the electrosurgical device in the monopolarconfiguration with power passing between the monopolar electrode and theground pad;

FIG. 20A1 illustrates a schematic of a bipolar configuration withswitches and power passing between working arms;

FIG. 20A2 illustrates a schematic of a bipolar configuration with acentral processing unit and power passing between working arms;

FIG. 20A3 illustrates a schematic of a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 20B illustrates a schematic of the electrosurgical device withpower passing between the blade electrode and the working arms;

FIG. 20C illustrates a schematic of the electrosurgical device in amonopolar configuration with power extending from the working armsaround the blade electrode;

FIG. 20D illustrates a schematic including the electrosurgical device;

FIG. 21 illustrates one possible configuration of connecting theelectrosurgical device of the teachings herein to a generator;

FIG. 22A illustrates an example of a control circuit diagram with theworking arms in a bipolar configuration;

FIG. 22B illustrates an example of a control circuit diagram with theworking arms in a monopolar configuration;

FIG. 22C illustrates an example of a control circuit diagram of amonopolar configurations;

FIG. 23A illustrates a circuit diagram of one possible bipolarconfiguration;

FIG. 23B illustrate a circuit diagram of one possible monopolarconfiguration;

FIG. 23C illustrates an example of another circuit diagram with theelectrosurgical device in the monopolar configuration;

FIG. 24A illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device inthe off position and the blade electrode including a switch;

FIG. 24B illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device inthe bipolar configuration with the blade electrode including a switch;

FIG. 24C illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device inthe monopolar configuration with the blade electrode including a switch;

FIG. 25A illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device inthe off position where the blade electrode is free of a switch;

FIG. 25B illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device inthe bipolar configuration with the blade electrode free of a switch;

FIG. 25C illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device ina monopolar configuration where the blade electrode is free of a switch;

FIG. 26A illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device inthe off position and the electrosurgical device including a ground pad;

FIG. 26B illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device ina bipolar configuration with the ground pad in an off state;

FIG. 26G illustrates a circuit diagram of the electrosurgical device ina monopolar configuration with the ground pad in an on state;

FIG. 27A illustrates an example of an electrosurgical device includingan activation circuit with the activation circuit being in the offposition;

FIG. 27B illustrates an example of the electrosurgical device in thebipolar configuration;

FIG. 27C illustrates an example of the electrosurgical device in themonopolar configuration and a second activation button closed;

FIG. 27D illustrates an example of the electrosurgical device in themonopolar configuration and a first activation button closed;

FIG. 28A illustrates an electrosurgical device including an activationcircuit including an activation button and a selector with theelectrosurgical device being off;

FIG. 28B illustrates the electrosurgical device of FIG. 28A in thebipolar configuration;

FIG. 28C illustrates the electrosurgical device of FIG. 28A in themonopolar configuration;

FIG. 29A illustrates an example of a shuttle including reconfigurableconductive paths and the electrosurgical device being in the bipolarconfiguration;

FIG. 29B illustrates an example of the shuttle being moved to a bipolarconfiguration and the conductive paths being reconfigured;

FIG. 29C illustrates and example of the shuttle in the bipolarconfiguration and conductive paths being reconfigured within agenerator;

FIG. 30A illustrates an example of a shuttle with reconfigurableconductive paths and one possible plug arrangement; and

FIG. 30B illustrates another example of a shuttle with reconfigurableconductive paths and another possible plug arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as willbe gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporatedby reference into this written description.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial Nos. 61/787,731, filed on Mar. 15, 2013 and61/845664, filed on Jul. 12, 2013, the contents of which are bothincorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all reasons. Thepresent teachings relate to an electrosurgical device. Preferably, thepresent teachings relate to an electrosurgical device and associatedcomponentry that form an electrosurgical system. The electrosurgicalsystem may be any system that includes one or more of the devices taughtherein. Preferably, the electrical surgical system includes at least anelectrosurgical device. The electrosurgical system may include one ormore handpieces as taught herein, one or more ground pads, one or moregenerators, one or more electrosurgical devices, one or more adjacenthandpiece components, or a combination thereof and the teachings hereinof each device which are incorporated into the electrosurgical system.The electrosurgical device may be any device that may be used by asurgeon to perform a surgical procedure. The electrosurgical device mayfunction to be switched between two or more configurations, two or morestates, or both. For example, the electrosurgical device may be switchedbetween a monopolar configuration, a bipolar configuration, anon-electrosurgical configuration, or a combination of the three. Theelectrosurgical device may be any device that may be switched betweentwo or more configurations with one hand so that a user may switchbetween the configurations without the need for a second hand, withoutdisrupting the procedure, or both. The electrosurgical device may be anydevice and/or configuration that may be used ambidextrously,ambidextrously switched between configurations, or both. Theelectrosurgical device may be used to cut, perform hemostasis,coagulate, desiccate, fulgrate, electrocautery, or a combinationthereof. The electrosurgical device may be any device that includesbipolar capabilities, monopolar capabilities, non-electrosurgicalcapabilities, or a combination thereof. The electrosurgical device maybe used in open surgery. In addition to its electrosurgical capabilitiesthe electrosurgical device may be used for non-electrosurgical purposes.For example, the electrosurgical device may be used as forceps,tweezers, or both that may be used to grip an object, an organ, a vein,skin, tissue, the like, or a combination thereof. In another example,one or more parts of the device may include a sharp edge and may be usedto cut, similar to that of a scalpel. The electrosurgical device mayinclude a handpiece and a generator. The electrosurgical device may haveone or more therapy signals that extend between the handpiece and thegenerator.

The one or more therapy signals may be a signal, power, continuity, or acombination thereof. The one or more therapy signals may extend from thehandpiece to the generator or vice versa. The one or more therapysignals may be formed by the handpiece, formed by the generator, orboth. The electrosurgical therapy signals may be a therapy current.Preferably, the electrosurgical therapy signals indicate that a user hasperformed a step and a signal is being transmitted so that therapycurrent, energy, or both is generated. The electrosurgical therapysignals may provide a signal so that one or more therapy currents areproduced and the therapy currents may be used for electrosurgery. Theelectrosurgical therapy signal may be conducted when the activationcircuit is in the first switch state, the second switch state, a thirdswitch state, the handpiece is in a first position, a second position, athird position, or a combination of switch states and handpiecepositions. Preferably, a therapy signal is not generated, does not exitthe handpiece, or both when the activation circuit is in the firstswitch state. The electrosurgical therapy signal may be a monopolartherapy signal, a bipolar therapy signal, or both. The electrosurgicaltherapy signal may be a monopolar therapy signal, a bipolar therapysignal, or both. The monopolar therapy signal may be any signal that hasa voltage differential between a return port and an active port in thegenerator. The monopolar therapy signal may be any signal that whenapplied by the electrosurgical device extends from one pole of anelectrosurgical device to another pole located at a remote location, offof the electrosurgical device, off the handpiece, or a combinationthereof. The bipolar therapy signal may be any signal that has a voltagedifferential between two leads that are connected to the electrosurgicaldevice, that are located in the generator, or both. The bipolar therapysignal may be any signal that when applied by the electrosurgical deviceextends from one component of a handpiece to another component of thehandpiece (e.g., between two working arms, from a blade electrode to oneor both working arms, or both). An electrosurgical therapy signal, whenthe activation circuit is in the second state, may exit the handpiece sothat a therapy current extends from a blade electrode, between the firstworking arm and the second working arm, between the blade electrode andone or both of the working arms, or a combination thereof. The therapysignal may be generated and conducted from the handpiece to thegenerator.

The generator may be any device that supplies power, a therapy current,control signals, an electrosurgical therapy signal, electronicallyreconfigures itself in response to a signal from the user, physicallyreconfigures in response to adjustments by the user, or a combinationthereof. The generator may function to be electrically connected to ahandpiece to provide and/or receive electrosurgical therapy signals,power, therapy current, or a combination thereof. The generator may becapable of producing only a single therapy current. The generator may becapable of producing two therapy currents. The generator may include twoor more power connections, three or more power connections, or four ormore power connections. The power connections may be any port in thegenerator so that one or more power connectors of the handpiece may beplugged into so that power, control signals, therapy currents, or acombination thereof are supplied to the electrosurgical device. Thegenerator may include one or more switches that may be switched betweenone or more of the power connections so that power, signals, or both maybe selectively applied to the electrosurgical device based upon adesired configuration of the electrosurgical device. The generator mayinclude a central processing unit (CPU), a series of internal switching,or both. The internal switching may provide a signal from an activationcircuit to the voltage source so that the voltage source is supplied tothe electrosurgical device and preferably the handpiece. The CPU may beinterchanged with the internal switching and the switching may performthe same functions as the CPU. The CPU may be any device that providespower, signals, electrical reconfiguration, a switch between two or moretherapy currents, a switch between two or more configurations, a switchbetween two or more therapy signals, or a combination thereof to theelectrosurgical device so that the electrosurgical device may be used toperform a desired function as is discussed herein. The CPU may be usedto switch the electrosurgical device between a first configuration, asecond configuration, a third configuration, a monopolar configuration,a bipolar configuration, a non-electrosurgical configuration, or acombination thereof.

The first configuration, second configuration, and third configurationmay be any configuration such that the electrosurgical device ismechanically reconfigured, electrically reconfigured, signallyreconfigured and/or different, or a combination thereof. The firstconfiguration, second configuration, and third configuration may be anyof the various configurations discussed herein. The first configurationmay provide a first therapy current. The first therapy current may bemonopolar energy and/or monopolar current. Preferably, the first therapycurrent is bipolar energy and/or bipolar current. Bipolar energy may beany power source that during application extends from one pole of anelectrosurgical device to another pole on the electrosurgical device.Stated another way, bipolar energy is energy that extends from onecomponent of the handpiece to another component of the handpiece. Forexample, energy that extends between two working arms on the handpieceis bipolar energy, or energy that extends from a blade electrode to aworking arm is a bipolar energy. The first electrical configuration maybe deactivated by electrically disconnecting the one or more firstactivation buttons, electrically disconnecting all or a portion of anactivation circuit, covering the one or more first activation buttons,electrically disconnecting the blade electrode, electricallydisconnecting one or both of the working arms, shorting the bladeelectrode with a return pad, or a combination thereof. The secondconfiguration may provide a second therapy current. The second therapycurrent may be bipolar energy (e.g., bipolar current or bipolar power).Preferably, the second therapy current may be monopolar energy (e.g.,monopolar current or monopolar power). Monopolar energy may be any powersource that during application extends from one pole of anelectrosurgical device to another pole located at a remote location, offof the electrosurgical device, off the handpiece, or a combinationthereof. Stated another way, bipolar energy is energy that extends fromone component of the handpiece to a component that is not part of thehandpiece. For example, energy that extends from a blade electrode to aground pad is monopolar energy, or energy that extends from one or bothworking arms to a ground pad is monopolar energy. The second electricalconfiguration may be deactivated by electrically disconnecting the oneor more second activation buttons, electrically disconnecting all or aportion of an activation circuit, covering the one or more secondactivation buttons, electrically disconnecting one or both working arms,electrically disconnecting the blade electrode, shorting the firstworking arm with the second working arm, or a combination thereof. Thethird configuration may be an electrosurgical configuration, anon-electrosurgical configuration, or both. Preferably, the thirdconfiguration is a non-electrosurgical configuration. The therapycurrent that extends through the handpiece may be effected by a signaland or current from the generator; a switch state of the activationcircuit (e.g., first switch state, second switch state, third switchstate, etc. . . . ); a hand piece position (e.g., first position, secondposition, third position, etc. . . . ). For example, the therapy currentmay be monopolar energy when the handpiece is in the second position andthe activation circuit is in the second switch state. However, thetherapy current may be bipolar energy when the handpiece is in thesecond position. In another example, the therapy current may be abipolar energy when the handpiece is in the first position and theactivation circuit is in the first switch state. The firstconfiguration, second configuration, and third configuration may be anyconfiguration and/or may perform one or more of the functions asdiscussed herein for the monopolar configuration, bipolar configuration,non-electrosurgical configuration and each of those functions isincorporated herein. Preferably, as discussed herein the firstconfiguration is a bipolar configuration, the second configuration is amonopolar configuration, and the third configuration is a nonelectrosurgical configuration.

The non-electrosurgical configuration may be any configuration wherepower is not supplied to the handpiece, the blade electrode, the two ormore working arms, or a combination thereof. The non-electrosurgicalconfiguration may be used when the electrosurgical device is being usedas forceps, tweezers, a scalpel, a clamp, Kelley hemostat forceps, or acombination thereof. In the non-electrosurgical configuration theworking arms may be mobile. In the non-electrosurgical configuration theworking arms may be immobilized, may immobilize the blade electrode, acutting arm, an extendable arm, or a combination thereof. The cuttingarm, the extendable arm, or both may be the blade electrode, may be adiscrete arm that includes a sharp edge and may be alternated with themonopolar arm, or both. The non-electrosurgical configuration may beswitched to a monopolar configuration or a bipolar configuration bypressing a button, turning a switch, advancing a cutting arm, advancinga blade electrode, advancing an extendable arm, or a combinationthereof.

The device when in a monopolar configuration may supply power through ahandpiece component (e.g., a blade electrode) and a return electrodethat may be located at another location outside of the hand held portionof the electrosurgical device, through a handpiece component and anadjacent handpiece component, or both. The monopolar configuration maybe any configuration where the electrosurgical device may be used toapply monopolar power. The monopolar configuration may be used to cuttissue, coagulate blood and/or fluids, electrical cutting, hemostasis,apply power to a large area, or a combination thereof. The monopolarconfiguration may be used to heat a specific area, heat an objectbetween both electrodes, in contact with both electrodes, or acombination thereof. A monopolar configuration may be used so that powerduring use extends from a blade electrode to one or both bipolarelectrodes, one or more immobilization arms, one or more working arms,one or more ground pads, or a combination thereof so that the bladeelectrode may be used for delicate electrosurgery, localizedelectrosurgery, coagulation, cutting, or a combination thereof. Theblade electrode may be used for less delicate procedures, less localizedelectrosurgery, or both when compared to bipolar electrosurgery.

The device when in a bipolar configuration may supply power from oneportion of the device to a second portion of the device so that thereturn path for the power is relatively short when compared to themonopolar configuration. The bipolar configuration may be anyconfiguration where the electrosurgical device may be used to applybipolar power. The device when in the bipolar configuration may supplypower between two localized handpiece components such as two workingarms. The bipolar configuration may be used to coagulate, forhemostasis, cutting, fulguration, or a combination thereof. When in thebipolar configuration the electrosurgical device may include twoopposing working arms. The two opposing working arms may be configuredas forceps.

The forceps may function to grip, hold, squeeze, or a combinationthereof one or more objects. The forceps may include one or more fingergrips (i.e., configured like scissors) that may be used to move theforceps so that they may be used to grip one or more objects. Theforceps may be free of finger grips and be actuated by direct pressurebeing applied to opposing sides of the forceps so that the forceps closeand grip an object. The forceps include at least two working arms.

The working arms may function to grip, hold, squeeze, or a combinationthereof an object when the object is between the two or more opposingworking arms. The working arms may include one or more gripping featuresthat may assist in gripping, holding, squeezing, or a combinationthereof an object. The working arms may be movable between two or morepositions. Preferably, the working arms are movable between at least afirst position and a second position. For example, the working arms maybe movable between a bipolar configuration (e.g., first position) and amonopolar configuration (e.g., second position). The working arms in thefirst position may be off, energized, one working arm may be energized,or a combination thereof. The working arms in the second position may beoff, one or both of the working arms may be electrically disconnected,one or both of the working arms may be electrically connected, oneworking arm may be shorted by the other working arm, or a combinationthereof. More preferably, in the second position the working arms areimmobilized so that the working arms cannot be used a forceps. Theworking arms may be longitudinally static and moveable relative to eachother. The working arms may be longitudinally moveable and may bemoveable relative to each other so that a gripping force may be created.For example, the working arms when in a bipolar configuration may bothbe extended and then retracted so that a blade electrode may be exposedforming a monopolar configuration. The working arms may be retractableand/or extendable individually, simultaneously, or both. The workingarms may be selectively retractable and/or extendable so that one ormore tip regions are exposed.

The working arms may include a tip region. The tip region may include aportion that is configured to assist in facilitating gripping, holding,squeezing, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the tip region may beconfigured in one or more electrosurgical configurations (e.g., amonopolar configuration, bipolar configuration, or a combination ofboth). The tip region may include teeth, serrations, mouse teeth, befree of teeth (i.e., smooth), or a combination thereof. The tip regionmay be fully and/or partially insulated. Preferably, the tip regionincludes insulation on the non-contact portions of the working arms sothat electrosurgical energy is not transferred through incidentalcontact. The working arms may include an active portion and an inactiveportion (i.e., an insulated portion).

The active portion may function to apply power. The active portion maybe the same portion as the contact regions of the forceps. Thus, forexample, when tissue is grasped between the contact portions of theforceps, power may be supplied to the tissue through this contactportion. The active portion of the working arms preferably is betweenthe two opposing working arms and the active portion of the bladeelectrode is the portion that extends beyond the working arms, out ofthe channel, or both. The active portions may be substantiallysurrounded by inactive portions or portions that are insulated. Theinactive portion may be any portion that does not supply power, that isinsulated, or both. The inactive portion may be any portion that maytransfer power through incidental contact and thus are insulated so thatincidental transfer of power does not occur and/or stray current isprevented. For example, an outside of the working arms may be coatedwith an insulating material so that if the working arms accidentallycontact tissue proximate to the tissue of interest the proximate tissueis not subjected to a transfer of power. The inactive portion and theactive portion may be made of different materials, coated with differentmaterials, or both.

The working arms may be made of any material that may be used to grip,hold, squeeze, or a combination thereof and provide monopolar power,bipolar power, a therapy current, a gripping force, or a combinationthereof to a desired location. The working arms may be made of onematerial and the tip region of each working arm may include, be coatedwith, or both one or more materials that may be insulating, a higherconductivity than the base material, a lower conductivity than the basematerial, or a combination thereof. The one or more working arms mayinclude one or more materials along the length of the working arm. Forexample, the working arms may be entirely made of stainless steel.Preferably, each working arm includes two or more materials. Forexample, the working arms may have a base material of stainless steeland the working arms may be coated with an insulating material such assilicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The working arms may includeany material that is safe for use in a surgical procedure, andpreferably and electrosurgical procedure. The working arms may includemetals, plastics, a polymer, an elastomer, gold, silver, copper,titanium, aluminum, iron based metals, stainless steel, silicone,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), insulating polymers, rubber, or acombination thereof. Preferably, each working arm is substantiallycoated with an insulating material except for a contact region betweenthe two working arms where the working arms contact each other. Theworking arms may be coated in regions where the user contacts theworking arms. The working arms may have an active portion and a passiveportion, an inactive portion, or both. For example, the active portionmay be the metal that extends through the working arms and is used toprovide monopolar energy, bipolar energy, gripping capabilities, holdingcapabilities, squeezing capabilities, or a combination thereof. Thepassive portion may be a portion that houses the active portion. Thepassive portion may be a housing.

The working arms may be located within a housing. The housing may be anypart of the device that may include one or more working arms and begripped by a user during use. The housing may electrically connect,mechanically connect, or both the two working arms. The housing may be apivot point so that the two working arms may be moved when the housingis compressed. The housing may substantially surround the working armsso that only the tip region extends out of the housing and are exposed.The housing may surround an outer side of the working arms and an innerside of the working arms may be exposed so that as the blade electrodeis extended between the two working arms, the blade electrode contactsone or both of the working arms. The housing may include a grippingportion. The gripping portion, upon and application of pressure, mayclose the working arms and upon a release of pressure the working armsmay return to an open position. The gripping portion may assist the userin holding the electrosurgical device like a pencil. The electrosurgicaldevice may include an outer housing and an internal housing. Theinternal housing may include, surround, encapsulate, encase, house, or acombination thereof, one or more internal features of theelectrosurgical device. The internal housing may house electricalcomponents such as wires, terminals, plugs, printed circuit boards,spring pins, or a combination thereof. The internal housing may functionto provide water resistance to the electrical components. The internalhousing may extend through a through hole in the shuttle; provide aguide for the shuttle to move along, or a combination thereof. Theinternal housing may be an integral part of the outer housing. Theinternal housing may be one or more discrete parts. The internal housingmay be two or more pieces that are connected together. The internalhousing may be connected to the external housing, housing one or more ofthe activation buttons discussed herein, or a combination thereof. Thehousing may be electrically connected to a power source and providepower to each of the working arms. The housing may be electricallyinsulating. The housing may include one or more hinges and/or one ormore hinge portions.

The one or more hinges may function to connect to rigid pieces, impartflexibility into the working arms, the handpiece, the electrosurgicaldevice, or a combination thereof. The one or more hinges may function toimpart movement into the housing while allowing the housing tosubstantially cover the components of the handpiece. There may be ahinge on only one working arm or a hinge on each working arm. Thehousing may include a rigid stationary section, a movable section, aflexible hinge section, or a combination thereof. The rigid stationarysection may be on a proximal end of the electrosurgical device (i.e.,closest to the user). The rigid portion may not move when the workingarms are moved about the hinge. The hinge may create a pivot point for amovable section to rotate about. The movable section may function tomove so that a gripping force, a gripping movement, or both are created.The movable section may cover all or a portion of the working arms. Onlya tip of the working arm may extend beyond the movable section of thehousing. The movable section may be substantially rigid but may pivotabout the hinge so that the section is movable and/or flexible. Forexample, the movable section of the working arm itself may not beflexible but the arm may be movable such that the movable section moveswith the arm. The movable section may be on the distal side of the hinge(i.e., the side of the hinge farthest from the user). The movablesection, the rigid stationary section, or both may form a movableconnection, a rigid connection, or both with the hinge. Preferably, themovable section forms a movable connection and the rigid stationarysection forms a rigid connection. The movable connection may function toallow a hinging action, movement back and forth, or both. The movableconnection may create a force that opposes a gripping of the forceps sothat the forceps default open. The movable connection may create a pivotpoint that opposes a rigid connection. The rigid connection may remainstatic while the movable connection moves about the rigid connection.The rigid connection may form a side of the hinge that anchors the hingeso that the hinge may move, flex, pivot, allow the arms to move, or acombination thereof. The hinge may be any shape so that the hinge moves.The rigid stationary section of the housing may have a general C-shapedcross-section to provide a shell to surround (the inner components ofthe forceps). Likewise the rigid moveable section may also have aC-shaped cross-section to provide a shell to surround (the innercomponents of the forceps. The hinge section may have slots in the outerportions of the C-shaped cross-section so that the cross-section of thehinge portion is substantially planar. The substantially planarcross-section may have lower bend resistance so that the hinge sectionis relatively flexible compared to the rigid stationary section and therigid movable section. The hinge section may form a generally “T” shape.The housing may include one or more activation buttons, one or moreactivation circuits, one or more printed circuit boards and associatedcontrols, one or more blade electrodes, one or more shuttles, one ormore channels, one or more immobilization arms, one or more immobilizingfeatures, one or more wires, one or more conductors, or a combinationthereof.

The one or more immobilization arms, one or more immobilizationfeatures, or both may be any feature of the housing, the working arms,or both that may immobilize one or both working arms when theelectrosurgical device is in the monopolar configuration. Theimmobilization arms may be connected to the housing and extend betweenone or both of the working arms and when the blade electrode is advancedthe immobilization arms are separated and the working arms are movedinto contact with each other. The immobilization arms may be connectedto the housing and extend between one or both of the working arms andwhen the blade electrode is advanced the immobilization arms arecompressed, pushed together, or both and the working arms are moved intocontact with each other. The immobilization arms may be generallyparallel to the working arms, may extend: in the same direction as theworking arms, may extend away from the working arms, towards an opposingworking arm, towards the user, away from a user, or a combinationthereof. Preferably, the working arms and the immobilization arms formgenerally an “X” shape so that when one side of the “X” is moved outwardthe opposing side of the “X” is moved inward. For example, as the bladeelectrode is moved forward the blade electrode may include a wedge andthe wedge may act to force the immobilizing arms apart so that theworking arms are moved together. The working arm and the immobilizationarms may form generally two “V” shapes. The two generally “V” shapes mayextend generally in the same direction so that as one V is widened theother V is narrowed. The immobilization arms may overlap. The overlapportion may form the “V” shape. For example, one immobilization arm mayextend from the housing, a first working arm, or both towards the secondworking arm, the housing proximate the second working arm, or both, anda second immobilization arm may extend from the housing, a secondworking arm, or both towards the first working arm and as animmobilization feature such as a wedge is moved between the firstimmobilization arm and the second immobilization arm the immobilizationarms may be moved closer to the opposing working arm so that the workingarms are moved into contact and immobilized. The housing, the workingarms, or both may be free of immobilization arms.

The two or more working arms may be immobilized by an immobilizationfeature. The immobilization feature may be any feature that connects thetwo or more working arms together so that the arms are immobilized inthe monopolar configuration, so that the forceps are disabled, or both.The immobilization features may be part of the arms, part of thehousing, all or a part of the shuttle, or a combination thereof. Theimmobilization features may be a track that extends along all or aportion of each arm and as the shuttle is moved forward or backward tothe monopolar configuration, each track may extend into communicationwith the shuttle so that each of the working arms are moved into contactwith each other and vice versa from the bipolar configuration. Theimmobilization feature may be a lock, a fastener, a piece that housesall or a portion of the working arms, or a combination thereof thatlocks the two working arms together. The immobilization feature may be apiece that slides and compresses the working arms, a piece that twistsand radially compresses the working arms, or a combination of both. Theimmobilization feature while being moved and immobilizing may move ablade electrode, may extend a blade electrode out a channel, or acombination of both.

The housing, the one or more working arms, or a combination of both mayinclude one or more channels. The channel may be located at any locationwithin one or more of the working arms so that one or more features maybe extended through the channel. The one or more channels may end at adistal end (i.e., an end used for electrosurgery, farthest from a user,or both) of the housing, a working arm, or both. The channel may be anabsence of material so that a device may be located within the channeland extend from the channel. The channel may house any device that maybe selectively used during electrosurgery. The channel may be any shapeto house one or more electrosurgical devices. The channel may be round,square, oval, diamond, the like, or a combination thereof so that duringuse a device may be extended through the channel for use. The deviceextended from the channel may be a mechanical cutting device, a suctionport, a smoke evacuation pot, a blade electrode, a moveable member, or acombination thereof. Preferably, a blade electrode is extended out ofthe channel so that the blade electrode may be used.

The blade electrode may be any device that may be used to applymonopolar power during a procedure, that may be longitudinally movable,rotationally movable, extendable, retractable, or a combination thereof.The blade electrode may be static. Preferably, in one embodiment theblade electrode may be static and the working arms moved relative to theblade electrode so that when the working arms are moved the bladeelectrode is exposed. More preferably, the blade electrode is a movable.The blade electrode may have a first position (e.g., retracted) and asecond position (e.g., extended). The first position may be where theblade electrode is located relative to the working arms so that theworking arms are past the blade electrode (e.g., the blade electrode isretracted so that the working arms extend past the blade electrode orthe working arms are extended so that the working arms extend past theblade electrode). The first position may be where the blade electrode iselectrically disconnected, electrically shorted relative to anotherhandpiece component, electrically insulated so that power cannot passfrom the blade electrode, or a combination thereof. The second positionmay be where the blade electrode is located relative to the working armsso that the blade electrode is extended beyond the working arms (e.g.,the blade electrode is extended so that the working arms are locatedproximate to the user or the working arms are retracted so that theblade electrode is beyond the working arms). The second position may bewhere the blade electrode is electrically connected, supplies a therapycurrent, is electrically continuous, or a combination thereof. The bladeelectrode may be a separate piece that when activated may be used tosupply monopolar power. The blade electrode may be formed by connectingthe two working arms together and supplying power through only oneworking arm. The blade electrode may be used for electrically cutting,mechanically cutting, or both. The blade electrode may be a discretethird working arm that may extend from one of the working arms, betweenthe working arms, or both.

The blade electrode may be made of the same material as one or both ofthe working arms. Preferably, the working arms and the blade electrodeare made of different materials. The blade electrode may be made of onematerial. Preferably, the blade electrode includes two or morematerials. The blade electrode may be made of stainless steel, copper,silver, titanium, a metal, a surgical steel, a metal with good thermaldissipation properties, a metal with poor thermal dissipationproperties, a material with high thermal conductivity, or a combinationthereof. The blade electrode may include a material with a first thermalconductivity and the working arms may include a material with a secondthermal conductivity. It is contemplated that the blade electrode, theworking arms, or both may include both a material with a first thermalconductivity and a second thermal conductivity. The materials with thefirst conductivity and the second conductivity may be any of thematerials discussed herein. The material with the first thermalconductivity may have a lower thermal conductivity than the materialwith the second thermal conductivity. Preferably, the material with thefirst thermal conductivity has a higher thermal conductivity than thematerial with the second thermal conductivity. The blade electrode mayinclude a coating. The coating may be any coating that providesinsulating properties, provides improved thermal dissipation of a basematerial, prevents corrosion, or a combination thereof. The coating maybe a polymer, an elastomeric, silicone, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE),the like, or a combination thereof. The coating may extend oversubstantially all of the blade electrode except for an active region ofthe blade electrode. The blade electrode may include one or moreinsulator sleeves that cover all or a portion of the blade electrode,the blade electrode may be movable into and out of an insulator housing.

The insulator housing may function to prevent power and/or stray powerfrom extending to and/or from the blade electrode when the bladeelectrode is located within the insulator housing. The insulator housingmay receive all or a portion of the blade electrode. The insulatorhousing may substantially surround all of the blade electrode when theblade electrode is in a retracted position, a bipolar configuration, orboth. The insulator, housing may insulate the blade electrode from straycurrent from the working arms, the ground pad, or both. The insulatorhousing may be a static component and the blade electrode may moverelative to the insulator housing. The insulator housing may be made ofinsulative material so that the flow of current to and/or from the bladeelectrode is substantially prevented. The insulator housing may be madeof and/or include rubber, plastic, silicone, an elastomer, silicone,PTFE, or a combination thereof. The insulator housing may be usedinstead of or in addition to an insulator sleeve so that the bladeelectrode is isolated and/or stray current is prevented.

The insulator sleeve may prevent power from passing to and/or from theblade electrode. Preferably, the insulator sleeve prevents power frompassing to and/or from the blade electrode when the blade electrode isretracted so that the blade electrode is not powered, a circuit cannotbe completed, or both. The insulator sleeve may be a sleeve that coversa portion of the blade electrode. The insulator sleeve may move with theblade electrode so that the same portions of the blade electrode arealways covered and the same portions of the blade electrode are alwaysexposed. The insulator sleeve may be an integral part of the bladeelectrode. The insulator sleeve may be fixedly connected to the bladeelectrode. The insulator sleeve may isolate portions of the bladeelectrode so that current and/or stray current are prevented frompassing to and/or from the insulated portions of the blade electrode.The insulator sleeve may be located on the blade electrode so that whenthe blade electrode, the working arms, or both are in contact and/orimmobilized the working arms contact the insulator sleeve. The insulatorsleeve may located proximate to a contact portion. The contact portionmay contact wiring, a pin, a spring pin, or a combination thereof whenthe blade electrode is extended so that power passes through the bladeelectrode. The contact portion may be free of the insulator sleeve. Forexample, the blade electrode may have an insulator sleeve and a contactportion that are adjacent each other and when the blade electrode isfull extended a spring pin may contact the contact portion and when theblade electrode is fully retracted the spring pin may contact theinsulator sleeve. The insulator sleeve may be made of any material thatprevents power from passing into the blade electrode. The insulatorsleeve may be any thickness so that power is prevented from entering theblade electrode thorough the insulator sleeve. The insulator sleeve maybe connected to a monopolar insulator. The insulator sleeve may preventa spring pin from providing power to the blade electrode when the bladeelectrode is refracted and the contact portion may allow the spring pinto power the blade electrode when the blade electrode is extended.

The spring pin may function to move (e.g., vertically) so that as a partof varying thickness is moved, a constant contact is created between twodevices. The spring pin may create contact between one or more movingparts so that power may be transferred from one part to the one or moremoving parts. The spring pin may include one or more springing portionsthat accommodate for a change in size and/or shape of a part. The one ormore springing portions may create a movable connection. The one or morespringing portions may allow for movement of one part relative to theother part. The springing portion may extend from a body portion. Thebody portion may assist in connecting the spring pin within a system,may provide a connection point for one or more other components, orboth. The body portion may include one or more connection arms thatconnect the spring pin to circuitry. Preferably, the body portionincludes two connection arms that connect to a printed circuit board.The springing pin may extend when the insulator sleeve is extended andthe contact portion is moved proximate to the spring pin. The spring pinmay move out of the way when the blade electrode is retracted and theinsulator sleeve is moved to a retracted position. The blade electrodemay include a monopolar insulator.

The monopolar insulator may be any device that may insulate all or aportion of the active portions of the working arms. The monopolarinsulator may prevent the working arms from contacting the bladeelectrode when the electrosurgical device is in the bipolarconfiguration. The monopolar insulator may be moved into contact withone or both of the working arms and immobilize the working arms so thatthe working arms cannot be used as forceps. The monopolar insulator mayprevent power from being transferred from one or both of the workingarms to the blade electrode. The monopolar insulator may prevent straycurrent from being conducted from the working arms to a surroundingarea, the blade electrode, the ground pad, or a combination thereof.During a change from a bipolar configuration to a monopolarconfiguration the monopolar insulator may extend between the workingarms and once past the working arms a bias device may act to retract themonopolar insulator so that the tips of the working arms are pressedinto a portion of the monopolar insulator and immobilized.

The bias device may be any device that may act to retract and/or advanceone or more components of the electrosurgical device. The bias devicemay act to separate the working arms of the electrosurgical device whenin the bipolar configuration. The bias device may push the bladeelectrode and/or shuttle forward into a monopolar configuration, pullthe blade electrode and/or shuttle back from a monopolar configuration,or a combination thereof. The bias device may ensure that the shuttle,blade electrode, working arms, monopolar electrode, blade, or acombination thereof are in a fully extended and/or fully retractedstate. For example, if a user moves a shuttle towards a forward positionand stops short, the bias device may complete the movement to a finalposition. The bias device may assist in moving any of the devices and/orfeatures discussed herein so that the devices and/or features arebi-stable. For example, the bias device may ensure that the bladeelectrode is always either fully extended or fully retracted and notlocated therebetween. The bias device may be a spring, a piece ofrubber, an elastomeric piece, a bend in metal that forms a bias surface,or a combination thereof. If the bias device is bent metal the metal maybe bent forming more than one plane. The first plane may contact a firstsurface and the second arm may contact a second surface so that twoopposing electrosurgical components are moved. The bias device may beconnected to the blade electrode, a shuttle, between the working arms, adevice that extends through the channel, or a combination thereof.

The shuttle may function to cover one or more activation buttons, movesone or more activation arms, moves the blade electrode, moves one orboth working arms, immobilizes and/or electrically disconnects one ormore features of the electrosurgical device and/or activation circuit,immobilizes one or more activation buttons, impedes movement and/ordepression of one or more activation buttons, move one or moreimmobilization arms, or a combination thereof. The shuttle may be ashield that covers the activation buttons that are not in use so thatone or more of the activation buttons are protected from contact. Forexample, when the electrosurgical device is configured for bipolar usethe shuttle may cover the monopolar activation buttons and expose thebipolar activation buttons or vice versa. The shuttle may be a solidpiece. Preferably, the shuttle includes a through hole so that one ormore components may extend through the through hole, be covered by theparts of the shuttle adjacent the through hole, guided by the throughhole, or a combination thereof. The shuttle may include a device thatextends under, around, through, or a combination thereof one or moreactivation buttons so that movement of the one or more activationbuttons is impeded, prevented, or both. For example, when the shuttle ismoved a portion of the shuttle may extend under one or more of the oneor more activation buttons so that a user is unable to depress thebutton to provide power, electricity, a therapy current, or acombination thereof. The shuttle may include one or more positions.Preferably, the shuttle includes at least a first position and a secondposition (i.e., a first electrical configuration and a second electricalconfiguration). The shuttle in the first position, the second position,or both may perform any of the functions discussed herein for theshuttle. The shuttle may be moved by sliding on a track. The shuttle maybe a slider assembly that moves the blade electrode.

The slider assembly may function to move the shuttle in one directionand the blade electrode in an opposing direction. The slider assemblymay have a gear ratio so that for every unit of measurement the sliderassembly is moved the blade electrode moves two units of measurement.The slider assembly may include a rack and pinion system that isconnected to the shuttle. The slider assembly may include one or moreracks. The shuttle may be connected to one rack and there may be anopposing rack that is offset. The slider assembly may include one ormore pinions and preferably two pinions that extend between and intocontact with one or more racks. Preferably, one pinion contacts one rackand the other pinion contacts the second rack and the pinions areinterconnected. The shuttle when moved in a first direction may rotatethe first pinion and the first pinion may rotate the second pinion andthe second pinion may drive the second rack in an opposing direction asthe first rack and shuttle are moving. The pinions may have a gearratio. The gear ratio may be 1:1, 1:1.1 or more, 1:1.5 or more, 1:2 ormore, or even 1:5 or more (i.e., on pinion moves 5 revolutions for every1 revolution of the other pinion). The shuttle may not include a sliderassembly and may be directly driven.

The shuttle may be connected to one or more other devices that may beretracted. For example, the shuttle may be connected to the bladeelectrode and the shuttle may be used to move the blade electrode intoand/or between a monopolar configuration and a bipolar configuration. Inanother example, the shuttle may be connected to the working arms sothat when the shuttle is moved the working arms are extended and/orretracted. The shuttle may be integrally connected to the bladeelectrode. The shuttle may include one or more electrical connectors.The one or more electrical connectors may function to pass power from awire to an electrosurgical component. For example, a wire may connect toan electrical connector and the electrical connector may power the bladeelectrode. The one or more electrical connectors may move with theshuttle so that as the shuttle is extended or retracted theelectrosurgical device is electrically reconfigured through themechanical movement. In another example, movement of the shuttle in theforward position may electrically connect the ground pad to a powersource and retraction of the shuttle may electrically disconnect theground pad from the power source. The shuttle may have 2, 3, or even 4electrical connectors. The shuttle may include an electrical connectorfor the first working arm, the second working arm, the ground pad, andthe blade electrode. The shuttle may lock a device in a position,immobilize one or more working arms, or both. For example, the shuttlemay lock the blade electrode in a retract position when theelectrosurgical device is in a bipolar configuration. In anotherexample, the shuttle may lock the blade electrode in a forward positionand immobilize both of the working arms when the electrosurgical deviceis configured for monopolar use. The shuttle may lock by a detent, aprojection that locks in a corresponding recess, a mechanical interlock,a friction fit, a mechanical lock, or a combination thereof. Thisshuttle may be connected to one or both working arms of theelectrosurgical device. The shuttle may be connected to the housing andslide on a track so that when the shuttle is extended towards amonopolar position all or a portion of each working arm is contacted bythe shuttle so that the arms are moved, immobilized, or both. Theshuttle may include a wedge, a ring, or both.

The wedge, the ring, or both may be a device for moving one or both ofthe immobilizing arms, one or both of the working arms, or a combinationthereof so that the working arms are immobilized in the monopolarconfiguration. The wedge may be any device that assists in immobilizingthe working arms, moving the immobilization arms, or both. The wedge mayhave any shape so that the wedge when moved assists in moving one ormore immobilizing arms without having a step of separating theimmobilizing arms. The wedge may have a tapered shape with a point onone end so that the wedge fits between the two opposing immobilizingarms and as the wedge is gradually progressed between the immobilizingarms the wedge becomes wider moving the immobilizing arms apart. Thewedge may be generally triangular in shape. The wedge may have a shapethat is a mirror image to the shape formed between the immobilizationarms so that when the tip of the wedge reaches the pointed portionbetween the immobilization arms the wedge is prevented from movingfurther forward. The wedge may be located at any location on theelectrosurgical device, the shuttle, or both so that when the wedge ismoved between the immobilization arms the wedge immobilizes the workingarms. The shuttle may be free of a wedge and may include a ring.

The ring may be any device that assists in immobilizing the workingarms. The ring may extend around all or a portion of the periphery, aperimeter, or both of the electrosurgical device, the working arms, theimmobilization arms, or a combination thereof. The ring may move alongthe outside of the electrosurgical device so a portion of theelectrosurgical device is located within an inner portion of the ring.The ring may be a complete circle, a partial circle, “U” shaped, fullysurround a length of the device, partially surround a length of thedevice, or a combination thereof. The ring may be part of the shuttle,may be the shuttle, may be discrete from the shuttle, may assist inmoving the blade electrode, may cover one or more of the activationbuttons, may extend under the one or more activation buttons, may extendthrough one or more activation buttons, deactivate all or a portion ofan activation circuit, may fully and/or partially surround one or moreof the immobilization arms, or a combination thereof.

The activation circuit may be any part of the electrical surgicalsystem, handpiece, or both that may be activated so that one or moretherapy currents are generated, applied, supplied, prevented from beingsupplied, or a combination thereof. The activation circuit mayelectrically connect two or more components, electrically activate twoor more components, provide a user interface, or a combination thereof.The activation circuit may have one or more switch states, two or moreswitch states, or three or more switch states. Preferably, theactivation circuit has two switch states (e.g., on or off). Theactivation circuit, the switches, or both may have a neutral positionwhere the activation switches are neither on nor off. The first switchstate may be off, not provide a therapy signal, not provide a firsttherapy signal, not provide a second therapy signal, not provide a thirdtherapy signal, or a combination thereof. The first switch state mayprevent a therapy signal to be produced, prevent a therapy signal (e.g.,a first therapy signal, a second therapy signal, etc. . . . ) fromexiting a handpiece, prevent communication between the handpiece and thegenerator, or a combination thereof. The second switch state may be on,provide a therapy signal, provide a first therapy signal, provide asecond therapy signal, provide a third therapy signal, or a combinationthereof. The second switch state may provide a therapy current betweenthe blade electrode, the first working arm, the second working arm, theground pad, or a combination thereof; produce a therapy signal; allow atherapy signal to exit the handpiece; allow communication between thehandpiece and a generator; or a combination thereof. For example, whenthe ground pad is electrically disconnected and the activation circuitis in the second switch state, a therapy current may be conductedbetween the blade electrode and the first working arm, the secondworking arm, or both working arms. In another example, when theactivation circuit is in the second state and the blade electrode is inthe second position the blade electrode may be electrically connected toa first power connector and a ground pad may be electrically connectedto a second power connector. The activation circuit may include one ormore switches that each include the switch states discussed herein.Preferably, the activation circuit includes one or more activationbuttons and/or is one or more activation buttons that may be movedand/or activated into the one or more switch states discussed herein.

The one or more buttons may function to control one or more functions ofthe electrosurgical device. The one or more buttons may control thebipolar power, the monopolar power, a bipolar cut setting, bipolarcoagulation setting, a therapy current, rotation of the blade electrode,rotation of the monpolar electrode, or a combination thereof.Preferably, a first button having a first color and/or configuration maybe for applying bipolar power and a second button having a second colorand/or configuration may be for applying monopolar power. The one ormore buttons may be exposed and/or unlocked by the shuttle as theshuttle moves, the blade electrode moves, or both to and/or from amonopolar configuration to a bipolar configuration or vice versa. Forexample, the monopolar activation button may only be exposed when theshuttle, blade electrode, or both are in the monpolar configuration. Themonopolar activation button, the bipolar activation button, or both mayturn on power to the respective electrode so that power is supplied tothe area of interest. The device may include only one activation buttonand may also include a selector.

The selector may function to select between one or more modes and/or oneor more functions. Preferably, the selector allows a user to selectbetween a plurality of different modes and/or functions. The selectormay switch between one or more ports in the activation circuit and theone or more ports may communicate to a CPU the desired electrosurgicalfunction to perform. The selector may be automatically moved when theblade electrode is extended and retracted. Preferably, the user may setthe selector to a desired mode and/or function. The selector may powerone or more functions and/or modes simultaneously. The electrosurgicaldevice may include a button that locks the configuration of the bladeelectrode, allows the blade electrode to rotate, or both.

The blade electrode may be any part of the electrosurgical device thatsupplies power from one location and the power extends to a distallocation. The blade electrode may be a combination of two or moredevices that when combined may form a blade electrode. The bladeelectrode may be a discrete part that when electrically powered providespower. The blade electrode may be static, rotatable about its axis,longitudinally movable about its axis, or a combination thereof. Theblade electrode may be blunt, have one or more sharpened edges, havedull edges, or a combination thereof. The blade electrode may rotate toany angle so that the blade electrode may be used to cut, beergonomically oriented so that a user is not required to repositiontheir grip, used for vertical cutting, used for side to side cutting, ora combination thereof. The blade electrode may be rotated at an angle ofabout 15 degrees or more, about 30 degrees or more, about 45 degrees ormore, about 60 degrees or more, or even about 90 degrees or more. Theblade electrode may be rotated at an angle of about 275 degrees or less,about 225 degrees or less, about 205 degrees or less, or about 180degrees or less. The blade electrode may maintain a complete circuitduring rotation so that power may be applied through the blade electrodeas the blade electrode is rotated.

The blade electrode, the bipolar electrode, or both may complete acircuit when in contact with tissue. The bipolar electrode may have twoopposing working arms and the tissue may electrically connect theworking arms, form an electrical bridge between the two arms, or both.The blade electrode may have a single blade electrode (i.e., a monopolarworking arm) and the tissue may electrically connect the blade electrodewith a return electrode, act as an electrical bridge between the bladeelectrode and the return electrode, act as an electrical bridge betweenthe blade electrode and one or both of the bipolar electrodes, or acombination thereof. The blade electrode when extended may activate acircuit, a switch, or both.

The circuit may have a switch that switches between the monopolarconfiguration, the bipolar configuration, or both. The switch mayactivate one or more of the bipolar electrodes and deactivate the groundpad (i.e., return pad) or vice versa; activate one or more bipolarelectrodes and deactivate the blade electrode or vice versa; deactivateone bipolar electrode and leave the bipolar electrode open (i.e., notpowered); deactivate the blade electrode and leave the blade electrodeopen; deactivate both bipolar electrodes and activate the bladeelectrode and the return electrode or vice versa, deactivate the groundpad; all of the bipolar electrodes, and the blade electrodes; or acombination thereof. The blade electrode, one or more of the bipolarelectrodes, or a combination thereof may be connected to an alternatingcurrent power source, a direct current power source, or both.Preferably, the blade electrodes, the bipolar electrodes, or both areconnected to an alternating current power source. The blade electrodemay be free of a position between the bipolar electrodes when theelectrosurgical device is in the bipolar configuration. The bladeelectrode may be positioned between the bipolar electrodes, extendedbeyond the bipolar electrodes, be static and the working arms retractedso that the blade electrode is extended beyond the working arms, or acombination thereof when in the monopolar configuration. The bipolarelectrodes when in a monopolar configuration may act to electricallyinsulate the blade electrode from the surrounding regions, thehandpiece, or both.

The handpiece may be any part of the device that the user grips, thathouses one or more of the control buttons, one or more switches, one ormore electrical connectors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors,or a combination thereof. The handpiece may house all or a portion ofthe control circuitry, a central processing unit, or both. The handpiecemay electrically connect the electrosurgical device, the electricalsystem, or both to the generator. The handpiece may both physicallyconnect the functional elements of the electrosurgical device andelectrically connect the elements of the electrosurgical device. Thehandpiece may be a body portion of the electrosurgical device, a portionbetween the two or more working arms, a connector between the two ormore working arms, that houses all or a portion of the circuitry, thatincludes an activation circuit, that includes one or more controlbuttons, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the handpiece is theportion that a surgeon grips and presses one or more buttons to applypower to a desired location. More preferably, the handpiece is a centralportion that includes both buttons and one or more electrical connectorsfor supplying power to the electrosurgical device, the working arms, theblade electrode, or a combination thereof. The handpiece may include oneor more movable members, one or more handpiece components, or both.

The one or more movable members may be any part of the handpiece thatmay be moved between two or more positions. The one or more movablemembers may be moved between a first position and a second position. Theone or more movable members may be moved between a monopolarconfiguration and bipolar configuration. The one or more movable membersmay be any part of the electrosurgical device and/or electrosurgicalsystem that may be electrically reconfigured, mechanically reconfigured,or both. The one or more movable members may be a monopolar electrode, afirst working arm, a second working arm, a ground pad, or a combinationthereof. The one or more movable members may be electrically connectedto a first power connector, a second power connector, or both. Themoveable member may be moved between one or more of the positionsdiscussed herein for the monopolar electrode, the bipolar electrode, orboth and the activation circuit between one or more switch states asdiscussed herein so that the moveable member is electrically configured,mechanically configured, or both in the same configuration as thoserespective components. The one or more movable members may be ahandpiece component.

The one or more handpiece components may be any device that is directlyelectrically connected, physically connected, carried on, or acombination thereof to the handpiece. The one or more handpiececomponents may be any component that may mechanically reconfigure thehandpiece, be mechanically reconfigured by the handpiece, moved alongthe handpiece, apply a therapy current from the handpiece, or acombination thereof. The one or more handpiece components may beelectrically connected to the handpiece so that power, signals, therapycurrents, or a combination thereof flow directly to and or from thehandpiece from the handpiece component without travelling through anintervening device. The handpiece component may be located separate fromthe handpiece but electrically connected. The one or more handpiececomponents and handpiece may be electrically reconfigurable so that thehandpiece and the handpiece component are electrically connected in someconfigurations and electrically disconnected in some configurations. Theone or more handpiece components may be a blade electrode, the firstworking arm, the second working arm, the ground pad, the shuttle, amonopolar electrode, one or more bipolar electrodes, or a combinationthereof. Preferably, in one configuration the ground pad is placeddiscretely from the handpiece but the ground pad is directlyelectrically connected to the handpiece such that when the handpiece isin a monopolar configuration the ground pad is electrically activated.The handpiece may provide power to the one or more handpiece componentsso that the handpiece components are not electrically connected directlyto a power supply, a therapy current, a generator, or a combinationthereof.

The power connectors may be any device that supplies power, a therapycurrent, or both from a power source to the electrosurgical system, theelectrosurgical device, or both so that the electrosurgical system,electrosurgical device, or both may be used for electrosurgery. Theelectrosurgical system, electrosurgical device, the handpiece, or acombination thereof may include one or more, preferably two or more, ormost preferably two power connectors supplying power to theelectrosurgical system, electrosurgical device, the handpiece, or acombination thereof. The therapy current may be any current that isapplied by the electrosurgical device and performs a predeterminedfunction. The therapy current may be monopolar power, bipolar power,coagulation, cutting, hemostasis, or a combination thereof. The therapycurrent may be any application of power that is produced by theelectrosurgical device. The therapy current may be any application ofpower that extends into and through the electrosurgical device from oneor more power connectors. The therapy current may be supplied form avoltage source. The voltage source may be any supply of energy thatperforms one or more of the function discussed herein. The voltagesource may be a direct current voltage source and preferably the voltagesource is an alternating current voltage source. The power connectorsmay be wires, pieces of a conductor, or both. The electrosurgical devicemay include one or more power connectors, preferably two or more powerconnectors, more preferably three power connectors, or even four or morepower connectors. For example, in a three power connector system thepower connectors may be and/or connected to a positive pin, a negativepin, a return pin, or a combination thereof. In another example, in afour power connector system the power connectors may be and/or connectedto a bipolar positive pin, a bipolar negative pin, a monopolar activepin, a monopolar return pin, or a combination thereof. Each of the powerconnectors may be directly connected to a power source, a generator, orboth. For example, if the electrosurgical device has three powerconnectors and the generator has three power connections (e.g., a powerport) each power connector may be plugged separately into its own powerconnection Each power connector may be electrically connected to asingle component of the electrosurgical device. Preferably, there aretwo power connectors supplying power to the electrosurgical device andthe electrosurgical device is electrically reconfigured between a firstposition and a second position, a first switch state and a second switchstate, or a combination of both so that a therapy current and/or powerfrom one of the power connectors may be supplied to two or morecomponents of the electrosurgical device. For example, when thehandpiece is in the first position, power from the first power connectormay be supplied to the first working arm and power from the second powerconnector may be supplied to the second working arm, and when thehandpiece is moved into the second position, the first power connectormay be electrically connected to the blade electrode and the secondpower connector may be electrically connected to the ground pad. One ormore of the power connectors may be indirectly connected to the powersource. For example, if the generator includes two power connections andthe electrosurgical device includes three power connectors, two of thepower connectors may be electrically connected together and plugged intoa power connector. Two or more power connectors may be electricallyconnected by a jumper.

The jumper may function to electrically connect two or more powerconnectors so that the power connectors can be electrically connected,signally connected, or both to the generator. The jumper may be anydevice that connects two electrical connectors outside of the generatorso that the two or more electrical connectors may be connected to thegenerator. The jumper may be any device that assists in connecting twoor more electrical connectors to a power, source a generator or both.The jumper may electrically connect to components, wires, connectors, ora combination thereof so that a single port may be used to power thecomponents, wires, connectors, or a combination thereof. Two or more ofthe power connectors may be electrically connected inside of thehandpiece, the generator, or both by one or more connectors.

The one or more connectors may be any device that internally connectstwo power connectors together. The one or more connectors mayelectrically connect the two or more working arms during use so thatpower may be applied through both working arms, so that a completecircuit is formed, or both. The one or more connectors may electricallyconnect both of the working arms together so that one electricalconnector may be used to electrically connect both working arms and oneelectrical connector may extend to another component such as the groundpad, the blade electrode, or both.

The electrosurgical device, the activation buttons, the handpiece,activation circuit, or a combination thereof may include one or morediodes. The diodes may be in any configuration so that upon pressing ofan activation button, movement of a switch, or both the generator, theelectrosurgical device, or both measures a frequency, a change infrequency, or both so that the generator may determine the activationmode that is being powered. Preferably, the one or more diodes may bedifferent so that the two or more different frequencies, shifts infrequency, or both are created so that a generator may determine whichswitches in the handpiece, the electrosurgical device, the activationbuttons, or a combination thereof are open, dosed, or both.

The electrosurgical device, generator, handpiece, or a combinationthereof may include one or more transformers. The one or moretransformers may be of any size and shape so that depending on thecurrent path through the one or more transformers, around the one ormore transformers, or both the voltage supplied through to thehandpiece, the electrodes, the working arms, or a combination thereofmay be varied. For example, when in a monopolar configuration thevoltage may be directly delivered to the electrode and when in a bipolarconfiguration the transformer may step down the voltage delivered to theworking arms. Conversely, the transformer may be used to increasevoltage delivered to one or more electrodes.

As discussed herein various circuits may be created by electricallyreconfiguring one or more components of the electrosurgical device,physically configuring one or more components of the electrosurgicaldevice, or both During use one or more switches may be opened and/orclosed so that one or more open circuits, one or more closed circuits,or both may be formed. For example, a shuttle and blade electrode may beextended forward so that a connection is formed between the bladeelectrode and a power source and the ground pad and a power source sothat a circuit is completed and an open circuit may be created betweenthe power source and the working arms so that the working arms are notpowered. The circuits may be configured so that a circuit is createdbetween two or more components and the electrosurgical device may beused for a desired type of electrosurgery. The electrosurgicalinstrument may be configured so that power flows from the bladeelectrode to one or more working anus, both working arms, to the groundpad, or a combination thereof. The electrosurgical device may beconfigured so that power flows from one working arm to another workingarm, from one or more working arms to the blade electrode, from one ormore working arms to the ground pad, or a combination thereof. Theelectrosurgical device may be configured with one or more powerconnectors, preferably two or more power connectors, and more preferablythree or more power connectors. Each of the power connectors may beconnected to one or more components, two or more components, or eventhee or more components. Each power connector may be switched betweenone or more components, two or more components, or even three or morecomponents. The method may include a step of immobilizing the bladeelectrode, a cutting arm, or both. The method may include a step ofimmobilizing one or more bipolar electrodes, one or more bladeelectrodes, or both simultaneously.

A method of switching the electrosurgical device between a bipolarconfiguration, a monopolar configuration, a non-electrosurgicalconfiguration, or a combination thereof. The method may include one ormore of the steps discussed herein in virtually any order. The methodmay include a step of advancing a shuttle, advancing a blade electrode,retracting a shuttle, retracting a blade electrode, applying a groundpad, removing a ground pad, reconfiguring a circuit, or a combinationthereof. The method may include a step of applying monopolar power andthen immediately subsequently applying bipolar power. The method mayinclude a step of cutting in a non-electrosurgical configuration andthen applying either monopolar power or bipolar power to coagulate,cauterize, or both without a step of changing instruments. The methodmay include a step of cutting in a monopolar configuration and thencoagulating, cauterizing, or both using bipolar energy without a step ofchanging instruments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electrosurgical device 2. The electrosurgicaldevice 2 includes a bipolar configuration 100 where the electrosurgicaldevice is forceps 4. The forceps 4 include a housing 80 with a pair ofworking arms 6 that remain as forceps 4 in the bipolar configuration 100when the shuttle 20 is in the bipolar position 24. The housing coversthe active portions of the working arms 6 along at least a portion oftheir length so that power is not transferred through incidentalcontact. While the shuttle 20 remains in the bipolar position 24 (e.g.,first position) the bipolar activation button 40 is exposed so that uponpressing the bipolar activation button 40 power travels into the forceps4 via the power connectors 52 and the power extends between the pair ofworking arms 6. The housing 80 includes a hinge 220 that allows theworking arms 6 to move relative to each other while the housing coversthe electrodes of the working arms. The housing 80 is divided by thehinge 220 which has a rigid stationary section 222 on the proximal endof the electrosurgical device 2 and a movable section 224 on the distalend of the electrosurgical device 2 so that the working arms 6 aremovable relative to each other. The hinge 220, as illustrated, isgenerally “T” shaped and has a rigid connection 226 on the proximal endof the electrosurgical device 2 and a movable connection 228 on thedistal end of the electrosurgical device 2. The hinge 220 allows thearms to move relative to each other while maintaining the protection ofthe housing 80 over both working arms and a central portion of theelectrosurgical device 2. As illustrated the movable section 224 of thehousing 80 includes a gripping portion 88 so that a user, upon applyingpressure to the gripping portion closes the working arms.

FIG. 2A illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG. 1 transformedinto a monopolar configuration 102. The electrosurgical device 2 ischanged into a monopolar configuration 102 when the blade electrode 26is moved forward by the shuttle 20 sliding along the housing 80 and theblade electrode 26 is immobilized between the working arms 6. Theshuttle 20 is slid forward into a monopolar position 22 (e.g., secondposition) so that one or more monopolar activation buttons 42 areexposed and the bipolar activation button is covered. When the monopolaractivation button 42 is pressed power travels from the blade electrode26 to a return electrode (not shown).

FIG. 2B illustrates a close-up view of the blade electrode 26 andworking arms 6 immobilized in a monopolar position 22.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electrosurgical device2 of FIG. 2A with the blade electrode 26 in the extended position. Theblade electrode 26 includes an insulator sleeve 54 that is extendedforward with the blade electrode so that a contact portion 56 is alignedwith the spring pin 250. The spring pin 250 is connected to a printedcircuit board 260, which is in communication with the bipolar activationbutton 40 and the monopolar activation button 42. The spring pin 250includes a springing portion 252 that maintains contact with the bladeelectrode 26 so that when the spring pin 250 contacts the contactportion 56 power is supplied through the blade electrode 26.

FIG. 2D1 illustrates a close-up view of a spring pin 250 in contact witha contact portion 56 of the blade electrode 26 when the blade electrode26 is fully extended. The spring pin 250 transfers power from theprinted circuit board 260 into the blade electrode 26 so that the bladeelectrode 26 is energized when the bipolar activation button 40, themonopolar activation button 42, or both are activated by a user.

FIG. 2D2 illustrates a close-up view of a spring pin 250 in contact withthe insulator sleeve 54 of the blade electrode 26 when the bladeelectrode 26 is fully retracted (as is shown in FIG. 1). The spring pin250 is prevented from transferring power from the printed circuit board260 by the insulator sleeve 54 so that stray currents are not producedby the blade electrode 26 in the event that the bipolar activationbutton 40, the monopolar activation button 42, or both remain activeand/or are activated by a user.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of the electrosurgical device 2 ofFIGS. 2 and 3. The electrosurgical device 2 includes a housing 80 thatwhen connected together retains all of the components so that thecomponents are movable and function to produce therapy currents. Thehousing 80 substantially surrounds the working arms 6 so that only aportion is exposed for creating a therapy current. An internal housing86 houses the power connectors 52 that supply power to the working arms6 and the blade electrode 26. The internal housing 86, when assembled,extends through a through hole 32 in the shuttle 20 which is connectedto the blade electrode 26. The internal housing 86 also contains aprinted circuit board 260 with a plurality of sensors 44 that iselectrically connected to the bipolar activation button 40 and themonopolar activation button 42 so that when the buttons are pressedpower is supplied to a desired location via the spring pin 250 when theelectrosurgical device 2 is in the monopolar configuration. The powerconnects 52 terminate at a pair of power connectors 10 that plug into awall and/or generator (not shown).

FIG. 3B illustrates a close-up view of the spring pin 250. The springpin 250 includes a springing portion 252 that connects a body portion256 to a contact arm 258. The contact arm 258 is moved into contact withand supplies power to a blade electrode (not shown) when the bladeelectrode is fully extended. The body portion 256 includes a pair ofconnection arm 254 that connect the spring pin 250 to a printed circuitboard (not shown).

FIG. 4 illustrates another electrosurgical device 2. The electrosurgicaldevice 2 is in the bipolar configuration 100. The electrosurgical device2 as illustrated is configured as forceps 4 having a pair of workingarms 6. A shuttle 20 as shown is forward in a bipolar position 24 andconnected to one working arm 6 so that both of the working arms 6 arefree and the working arms 6 may be biased and used in the bipolarconfiguration 100. When the shuttle is moved to a rearward position theworking arms 6 are forced together and immobilized forming a monopolarelectrode and/or blade electrode.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the electrosurgical device 2 as shown in FIG.4. As illustrated, the electrosurgical device 2 is in the bipolarconfiguration 100 with the pair of working arms 6 spread apart formingforceps 4. The working arms 6 each include an immobilization arm 82extending from the housing 80 and a wedge 84 that separates theimmobilization arms 82 so that the working arms 6 are moved into contactand immobilized when transformed from the bipolar configuration 100 tothe monopolar configuration 102 (not shown).

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of an electrosurgical device 2 of theteachings herein. The electrosurgical device 2 includes a bipolarconfiguration 100 where the electrosurgical device is forceps 4. Theforceps 4 include a housing 80 with a pair of working arms 6 that remainas forceps 4 in the bipolar configuration 100 when the shuttle 20 is inthe bipolar position 24. The housing covers the active portions of theworking arms 6 along at least a portion of their length so that power isnot transferred through incidental contact. While the shuttle 20 remainsin the bipolar position 24 (e.g., first position) the bipolar activationbutton 40 is exposed so that upon pressing the bipolar activation button40 power extends between the pair of working arms 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG.6 configured as forceps 4. The electrosurgical device 2 includes ahousing 80 that covers a majority of the working arms 6. The housing 80includes a pair of immobilization arms 82 that extend from the housing80 so that when the wedge 84 advances forward the blade electrode 26 isadvanced and the working arms 6 are immobilized. Proximate to theimmobilization arms 82 is a hinge 220 in the housing 80. The hinge 220includes a rigid connection 226 on a proximal side of the hinge 220 anda movable connection 228 on the distal side of the hinge 220.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a shuttle 20 including awedge 84. The shuttle 20 is connected to a blade electrode 26.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an electrosurgical device 2 with aslider assembly 130. As illustrated, the electrosurgical device 2 has ahousing 80 connected to a working arm 6. The working arm 6 is connectedto a slider 30 that includes a shuttle 20. The shuttle 20 is connectedto a working arm 6 and two pinions 134 that are interfitted between apair of racks 132. Each pinion 134 contacts a rack 132 and movement ofthe shuttle 20 in the direction 136 moves the working arm 6 along itsaxis in direction 138, which is in an opposing direction as the shuttle20. The pinions 134 have different sizes so that there is a gearreduction and the distance the working arms 6 travel is greater than thedistance the shuttle 20 travels during movement. The electrosurgicaldevice 2 includes a bipolar activation button 40 and a monopolaractivation button 42.

FIG. 10 illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in the monopolarconfiguration 102. As illustrated, a blade electrode 26 is moved forwardto a monopolar position 22 and the working arms 6 are in contact with amonopolar insulator 30 on the blade electrode 26 so that the monopolarinsulator 30 immobilizes the working arms 6. As illustrated, the workingarms 6 extend into a portion of the monopolar insulator 30 and areimmobilized by the monopolar insulator 30, which also substantiallyprevents current from straying from the working arms 6 when the tips ofthe working arms 6 are covered by the monopolar insulator 30. Theworking arms 6 are also covered by an insulator 90 that insulates alength of the working arm 6 and the tips of the working arms 6 arecovered by the monopolar insulator 30 so that substantially all of thestray current is insulated and prevented. A bias device 50 is compressedwhen the blade electrode is moved into the monopolar position 22 so thatupon release the bias device 50 assists in retracting the bladeelectrode 26.

FIG. 11 illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG. 10 in thebipolar configuration 100. As illustrated, the blade electrode 26 isretracted rearward into the bipolar position 24 so that the monopolarinsulator 30 is located between the two working arms 6. When the bladeelectrode 26 is fully retracted the bias device 50 is fully extended.The working arms 6 are separate and can be used as forceps 4 and withbipolar power. The working arms 6 further include an insulator 90 thatextends the length of the working arms 6 and a tip of each working arm 6is exposed.

FIG. 12 illustrates another possible configuration of theelectrosurgical device 2 in the monopolar configuration 102. Asillustrated, the shuttle 20 is moved forward into the monopolar position22 so that the blade electrode 26 is moved forward through a bladeelectrode channel 46 in a working arm 6. The electrosurgical device 2includes a power connectors 52 at an end so that the electrosurgicaldevice 2 is powered during use.

FIG. 13 illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG. 12 in a bipolarconfiguration 100. The electrosurgical device 2 has the shuttle 20 movedrearward into a bipolar position 24 so that the working arms 6 areseparate and can be used as forceps 4. The blade electrode 26 isretracted by the shuttle 20 into the blade electrode channel 46 so thatthe blade electrode 26 is not exposed. A power connector 52 is at theend of the electrosurgical device 2 for powering the device.

FIG. 14 illustrates an end view of the working arms 6 of FIGS. 12 and13. As illustrated one of the working arms 6 includes a monpolarelectrode channel 46 that extends through the working arm 6.

FIG. 15 illustrates an end view of the working arms of FIGS. 1-7 and10-11 where the working arms are solid and are free of a channel.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate an end view of one possible monopolarconfiguration 102 where the orientation of the blade electrode 26 isvariable between a horizontal monopolar cutting configuration 104 (FIG.16) and a vertical monopolar cutting configuration 106 (FIG. 17). Asillustrated, the working arms 6 are made of two materials. The outerportion of the working arms 6 is made of a material with insulatingthermal conductivity 90 and the inner portion is made of a material withhigh thermal conductivity 92. The outer portion of the blade electrode26 has insulating conductivity 90 and the center has poor thermalconductivity 94.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 during use inthe bipolar configuration 100. FIG. 18A illustrates the pair of workingarms 6 having a material portion having insulating thermal conductivity90 and a material having high thermal conductivity 92. The working arms6 are in contact with tissue 200 so that power flows through the tissue200 from one working arm 6 to the other working arm 6.

FIG. 18B is a circuit diagram illustrating one possible bipolar circuitconfiguration 100 of the electrosurgical device 2. The electrosurgicaldevice 2 is connected to a voltage source 64, and power flows through aswitch 60A from the voltage source 64 to one working arm 6 and from thevoltage source 64 through a switch 60B to the other working arm 6. Whenthe switches 60A and 60B are moved into the bipolar configuration 100 anopen circuit 62A and 62B are formed so that the monopolar portion of thecircuit including the ground pad 66 is free of power. As illustrated theblade electrode 26 is retracted from between the working arms 6 so thatpower 68 flows between the working arms 6 and any tissue 200 (not shown)located therebetween.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 in a monopolarconfiguration 102. FIG. 19A illustrates the blade electrode 26 havingpower flow 68 to a ground pad 66. The power 68 flows through tissue 200(not shown) from the blade electrode 26 to the ground pad 66.

FIG. 19B illustrates a circuit diagram showing one possible monopolarcircuit configuration 102 of the electrosurgical device 2. Theelectrosurgical device 2 is connected to a voltage source 64, and powerflows through a switch 60A from the voltage source 64 to the ground pad66 and from the voltage source 64 through a switch 60B to the bladeelectrode 26. When the switches 60A and 60B are moved into the monopolarconfiguration 102 open circuits 62A and 628 are formed so that thebipolar portion of the circuit and working arms 6 are free of power.When power is applied to the blade electrode 26 power 68 flows from theblade electrode 26 to the ground pad 66.

FIGS. 20A1 through 20A3 illustrate a circuit diagram of theelectrosurgical device 2 as tweezers 5 in a bipolar configuration 100.The electrosurgical device 2 is connected to a voltage source 64. FIG.20A1 includes a switch 60 that moves between a working arm 6 and a bladeelectrode 26 and a switch 60 that moves between a working arm 6 and aground pad 66. As illustrated, the switch 60 is supplying power to bothof the working arms 6 so that power flows 68 between the two workingarms 6 and so that the blade electrode 26 and ground pad 66 are open.The two working arms 6 are electrically connected via a connector 70having a switch 60 therebetween.

FIG. 20A2 includes a central processing unit 74 that replaces theswitching between the voltage source and the blade electrode 26 and theworking arms 6. The central processing unit 74 controls the powersupplied to the blade electrode 26 and/or the working arms 6 of thetweezers 5 so that as illustrated power 68 flows between the workingarms. The central processing unit 74 turned off the ground pad 66 andthe blade electrode 26 and turned on the working arms 6. A ground pad 66extends from the central processing unit 74.

FIG. 20A3 illustrates an electrosurgical device 2 in a hybrid bipolarconfiguration 100 being configured as tweezers 5 that are grippingtissue 200. The tissue 200 electrically connects the two adjacentworking arms 6 so that power flows from the blade electrode 26 throughthe tissue 200 to the working arms 6. The switch 60 of the connector 70is closed so that both working arms 6 are powered and electricallyconnected together and the blade electrode 62 is electrically connected.There is an open 62 between one of the working arms 6 and the powersource 64 so that power does not flow directly toone working arm 6 andso that the switch 60 provides power to the blade electrode 26. Theswitch 60 between the blade electrode 26 and the power source 64 isclosed so that power flows between the working arms 6 and the bladeelectrode 26 through tissue 200.

FIGS. 20B through 20D illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 in venousmonopolar configurations 102. As illustrated, the blade electrode 26being immobilized between the working arms 6. FIG. 20B is a hybridmonopolar configuration 102 for cutting. A switch 60 is closed betweenthe power source 64 and the blade electrode 26 so that power flows 68from the blade electrode to the two working arms 6. One working arm 6 isconnected directly to the power source 64 and the switch 60 proximate tothe other working arm is open 62 due to the switch 60 being moved topower the blade electrode 26. The two working arms 6 are electricallyconnected via a connector 70 that includes a switch 60 so that anelectrical connection between the two working arms 6 can be open andclosed as the device is switched between a monopolar configuration and abipolar configuration. The ground pad 66 is open 62 so that power doesnot flow through the ground pad 66.

FIG. 20C illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in a hybrid monopolarconfiguration 102/bipolar configuration 100. As illustrated, bothswitches 60 are closed so that power is supplied from the power source64 to both working arms 6 and an open 62 is present between both theblade electrode 26 and the ground pad 66 so that power does not flow tothe blade electrode 26 or the ground pad 66. The flow of power 68 isfrom one working arm 6 to the other working arm 6 around the bladeelectrode 26. A connector 70 including a switch 60 extends between theworking arms 6.

FIG. 20D illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in a monopolarconfiguration 102. As illustrated, a switch 60 is located between thepower source 64 and the blade electrode 26 so that power flows throughthe blade electrode 26 and the flow of power 68 flows to the ground pad66 through another switch 60 so that a complete circuit is formed. Whenthe switch 6 powers the ground pad 66 and the blade electrode 26, theworking arms 6 are open 62 so that no power flows through the workingarms 6, but the working arms mechanically immobilize the blade electrode26. The two working arms 6 are electrically connected by a connector 70that includes a switch 60.

FIG. 21 illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 connected to agenerator 8. The generator 8 as illustrated only includes two powerconnectors 10. The electrosurgical device 2 is connected to thegenerator 8 via one power connector 10 and the ground pad 66 isconnected to the generator 8 via a different power connector 10 and thetwo power connectors 10 are electrically connected by a jumper 12.

FIGS. 22A-22C illustrate various circuit configurations between thegenerator 8 and the electrosurgical device 2. The generator 8 includingcentral processing unit that is connected to a handpiece 120. A user canchange the electrosurgical device 2 between a bipolar configuration 100(FIG. 22A) and a monopolar configuration 102 (FIGS. 22B and 22C) and achange in configuration to the bipolar configuration 100 will change theswitches 60 so that one switch is open 62 and one switch 60 is closed.Each branch of the circuit includes a diode 122 so that when a switch 60is closed power and/or a control signal pass through the diode 122 tocontrol the electrosurgical device 2. The generator 8 further includes atransformer 124 electrically connected to the ground pad 66, the workingarms 6, and the blade electrode 26. A jumper 12 electrically connectsthe ground pad 66 to one of the working arms 6. The generator 8 includespower connections 10 that extend from the electrical surgical device 2and are plugged into the generator 8. The generator 8 includes a switch60 that closes to electrically connect the ground pad 66 and opens 62 todisconnect the ground pad. FIG. 22A illustrates the electrosurgicaldevice 2 in bipolar configuration 100 so that power flows between thetransformer 124 and each of the working arms 6 in the direction 140 andthe flow of power 68 is between to working arms 6. FIG. 22B illustrateselectrosurgical device in the monopolar coagulation configuration. Asillustrated, power flows from the blade electrode 26 to the ground pad66 and power flows in the direction 140 between the transformer 124 andthe blade electrode 26 and the ground pad 66. FIG. 22C illustrates theelectrosurgical device 2 in monopolar cut configuration so that powerflows 68 from the mono polar electrode 26 to the ground pad 66. Thepower then flows in the direction 140 through the closed switch 60between the transformer 124 and the blade electrode 26 and ground pad66.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 having threepower connectors 52 extending therefrom for connecting to a generator 8(not shown). FIG. 23A illustrates the blade electrode 26 and shuttle 20in the retracted position so that the electrosurgical device 2 is in thebipolar configuration 100. The handpiece 120 includes a pair of workingarms 6 with a blade electrode 26 therebetween. The handpiece 26 alsoincludes a shuttle 20 with electrical connectors 72 that connect theworking arms 6 to the power connectors 52. As illustrated, the positivepin 52A connects to a first end of an electrical connector 72 and thesecond end connects to a first working arm, and a negative pin 52Bconnects to a first end of a second electrical connector 72 and thesecond end connects to a second working arm 6 so that the working armsare powered and power 68 extends between the working arms 6. Thenegative pin 528 includes two wires extending therefrom so that thenegative pin 52B is not electrically isolated. One wire from thenegative pin 526 is connected to a working arm 6 through the electricalconnector 72 in the bipolar configuration as shown, and the other wirefrom the negative pin 526 connects to the ground pad 66 when in themonopolar configuration as is shown in FIG. 236. The ground pad 66 isconnected to a return pin 52R and the return pin 52R is disconnected sothat power does not flow through the ground pad 66.

FIG. 23B illustrates the shuttle 20 of the handpiece 120 moved forwardso that the blade electrode 26 is in the monopolar configuration 102.The handpiece 120 includes working arms 6 and a blade electrode 26 in amonopolar configuration 102. The working arms 6 are disconnected so thatthe working arms 6 are not powered. Power 68 extends from the bladeelectrode 26 to ground pad 66. The ground pad 66 is electricallyconnected to a return pin 52R and a negative pin 526. A wire extendsfrom the return pin 52R through an electrical connector 72 in theshuttle 20 of the handpiece 120 and connects to a negative pin 526. Thepositive pin 52A is connected to a second electrical connector 72 in thehandpiece 120, but the second electrical connector 72 is free of aconnection on a second side.

FIG. 23C illustrates an electrosurgical device 2 in a monopolarconfiguration 102. The electrosurgical device 2 includes a handpiece 120with a pair of working arms 6 and a blade electrode 26 extendingtherebetween. Power 68 extends from the blade electrode 26 to a groundpad 66. The ground pad 66 is electrically connected to a return pin 52Rthrough a shuttle 20. The shuttle 20 includes electrical connectors 72that extend through the shuttle 20 and electrically connect the groundpad 66 to a return pin 52R. A positive pin 52A connects to a bladeelectrode 26 through a second electrical connector 72 that extendsthrough the shuttle 20 in the handpiece 120. The negative pin 52B andthe return pin 52R are electrically isolated when compared to FIGS. 23Aand 23B.

FIGS. 24A-24C illustrate the electrosurgical device 2 having two powerconnectors 52 extending from the handpiece 120 for connecting theelectrosurgical device to a generator 8. The electrosurgical device 2also includes an activation circuit 300 for powering the handpiece 120.The electrosurgical device 2 as illustrated is free of a ground pad.FIG. 24A illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in the bipolarconfiguration 100 where both power connectors 52 are connected to thehandpiece 120. The activation circuit 300 includes an activation button302 in a first switch state 310 so that the switch is open 62 and asignal does not flow from the activation circuit 300 through the ports160 and to the generator 8 so that the voltage source 64 does not sendpower to the electrosurgical device through the power connectors 52. Theblade electrode 26 includes a switch 60 that is open so that the bladeelectrode 26 is electrically disconnected. The switch 60 connected tothe working arm 6 is closed so that the working arm is electricallyconnected.

FIG. 24B illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in the bipolarconfiguration 100 and power 68 extend between the working arms 6. Theactivation button 302 on the activation circuit 300 is in the secondswitch state 312 so that a signal is sent to the internal switch and/orcentral processing unit (CPU) 74 in the generator 8, through the ports160. The internal switch and/or CPU 74 triggers the voltage source 64 topower the handpiece 120. Power flows through the power connectors 52 inthe direction 320 through the switch 60 and powers the working arms 6 sothat power 68 flows therebetween. The switch 60 of the blade electrode26 is disconnected so that the blade electrode 26 is not powered.

FIG. 24C illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 in the bipolarconfiguration 102 where both power connectors 52 connect to thehandpiece 120 to the generator 8 and the activation circuit 300 isconnected to the generator 8 by the ports 160. The activation button 302is in the second switch state 312 so that a signal is sent to theinternal switch and/or CPU 74, which triggers power to extend in thedirections 320 from the voltage source 64. The blade electrode 26 is inthe extended position and the switch 60 of the blade electrode 26 isconnected to a working arm so that the blade electrode 26 is powered.The other switch 60 extends from one working arm to the other workingarm so that both working arms are electrically connected and power cantravel between the blade electrode 26 and the working arms 6. Thedirection arrows show the movement of the switches 60 between thebipolar configuration of FIG. 24B to the monopolar configuration of FIG.24C

FIGS. 25A-25C illustrate various electrical configurations within thehandpiece 120 of the electrosurgical device 2. The handpiece 120includes a pair of working arms 6 and a blade electrode 26 that extendsbetween the working arms 6, and the handpiece 120 is connected to agenerator 8. The handpiece 120 is controlled by an activation circuit300 that is connected to the generator 8. The electrosurgical device 2as illustrated is free of a ground pad and a switch connected to theblade electrode. FIG. 25A illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 off.The activation button 302 of the activation circuit 300 is in a firstswitch state 310 and is open 62 so that a signal does not flow to thegenerator 8 through the ports and into communication with the internalswitch and/or CPU 74. The internal switch and/or CPU 74 controls theflower of power from the voltage source 64 through the power connectors52 and into the working arms 6 and/or blade electrode 26. Asillustrated, the switch 60 is closed so that when power is applied bothworking arms 6 will be powered.

FIG. 25B illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG. 25A poweredwhen the activation button 302 is moved into the second switch state312. When the activation button 302 is closed a signal is sent from theactivation circuit 300 to the internal switching and/or CPU 74 whichtriggers power to be sent from the voltage source 64 through the powerconnectors 52 and to the working arms 6 in the direction 320. The powerflows in the direction 68 between the pair of working arms 6.

FIG. 25C illustrates switch 60 being moved from the second working arm 6to the blade electrode 26 as is indicated by the arrow so that thesecond working arm 6 is turned off and remains open 62 and the bladeelectrode 26 is powered. Power flows from the generator 8 in thedirection 320 so that the blade electrode is powered and power 68 flowsfrom the blade electrode 26 to the working arm 6.

FIG. 26A through 26C illustrate reconfiguration of the electrosurgicaldevice 2. The electrosurgical device includes a ground pad 66, andhandpiece 120, and an activation circuit 300. FIG. 26A illustrates theelectrosurgical device 2 turned off. As illustrated the activationbutton 302 on the activation circuit 300 is in a first switch state 310and is open 62 so that a signal is not sent to the generator 8 poweringthe handpiece 120. Further the blade electrode 26 and the ground pad 66are open because the switches 60 are closed in the direction indicatedby the arrow so that the working arms are connected by the closedswitches 6.

FIG. 26B illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG. 26A in thebipolar configuration 100 with the activation button 302 of theactivation circuit 300 moved to a second switch state 312. The secondswitch state 312 completes the circuit so that a signal passes from theactivation circuit 300 through the ports 160 in the generator 8 and intocommunication with the internal switching and/or CPU 74. The internalswitching and/or CPU 74 triggers power to travel from the voltage source64 into the handpiece 120 through the power connectors 52 in thedirection 320 through the closed switches 60 so that both working arms 6are powered and power 68 flows between the working arms 6.

FIG. 26C illustrates the blade electrode 26 in an extended positionbetween the pair of working arms 6 so that a monopolar configuration 102is formed. When the blade electrode 26 is extended the switches 60 aremoved from the first working arm 6 and the second working arm 6 to theblade electrode 26 and ground pad 66 respectively so that the bladeelectrode 26 is powered when the activation button 302 is in the secondswitch state 312 as is illustrated. Power travels in the direction 320from the power connectors, through the switched 60, and then to theblade electrode 26 and ground pad 66 respectively. Power 68 passesbetween the blade electrode 26 and the ground pad 66

FIGS. 27A through 27D illustrate an electrosurgical device 2 with anactivation circuit 300 connected to a generator by a plurality of ports160 and a handpiece 120 connected to the generator 8 by a plurality ofpins 152. The activation circuit 300 includes activation buttons 40, 42that when depressed power the handpiece 120. FIG. 27A illustrates theactivation circuit 300 with both the bipolar activation button 40 andthe monopolar activation button 42 in the first switch state 310 andopen 62 so that the electrosurgical device 2 is off. The activationcircuit 300 has three electrical paths (i.e., wires) that connect withthe generator 8 via an upper port 160A, a middle port 160B, and a lowerport 160C. The ports 160 connect the activation circuit 300 withinternal switching and/or a CPU 74 that when receives a signalcommunicates with the power source 64 powering the handpiece 120. Thepower source 64 directs power through a series of switches 60, which asillustrated are in a neutral position 58. The switches 60 direct thepower through the plurality of pins 160. The plurality of pins are abipolar positive pin 152A, a bipolar negative pin 152B, a monopolaractive pin 152C, and a monopolar return pin 152D that power one or moreparts of the handpiece 120 when the handpiece 120 is switched between amonopolar configuration and a bipolar configuration. As illustrated theblade electrode 26 is retracted and nested within an insulator housing96.

FIG. 27B illustrates the electrosurgical device 2 of FIG. 27A in thebipolar configuration 100 with the blade electrode 26 retracted andlocated within the insulator housing 96 so that stray currents areprevented from transferring to and/or from the blade electrode 26, andthe bipolar activation button 40 in the second switch state 312 so thata signal is generated and a circuit is completed with the upper port160A and the lower port 160C so that a signal passes therethrough intothe generator 8 and ultimately to the internal switching and/or CPU 74.The monopolar activation button 42 is in the first switch state 310 andis open 62. The internal switching and/or CPU 74 activates the voltagesource 64 so that power extends through the upper switch 60 and throughthe bipolar positive pin 152A so that the first working arm 6 is poweredby current traveling in the direction 320. Power extends through thebottom switch 60 and out the bipolar negative pin 152B so that thesecond working arm receives power along the direction 320. The power 68then extends between the pair of working arms 6. The ground pad 66 andthe blade electrode 26 are electrically disconnected as illustrated.

FIG. 27C illustrates the blade electrode 26 extended out from theinsulator housing 96 and between the working arms 6 and power 68extending from the blade electrode 26 to the ground pad 66. Theactivation circuit 300 includes the bipolar activation button 40 in thesecond switch state 312 so that a complete circuit is formed with theupper port 160A and the lower port 160C so that a signal is transmittedto the internal switching and/or CPU 74 of the generator 8. Themonopolar activation button 42 is in the first switch state 310 and isopen so that a signal is not transmitted from the monopolar activationbutton 42. The internal switching and/or CPU 74 communicates with thevoltage source 64 so that power is directed along the paths 320 to theblade electrode 26 and ground pad 66 respectively. The switches 60 areconfigured so that power extends from the voltage source 64 through thebipolar positive pin 152A and the bipolar negative pin 152B so that athe power 68 between the blade electrode 26 and the ground pad 66 is afirst therapy current.

FIG. 27D illustrates the blade electrode 26 extended out from theinsulator housing 96 and between the working arms 6 and power 68extending from the blade electrode 26 to the ground pad 66. Theactivation circuit 300 includes the bipolar activation button 40 in afirst switch state 310 and open 62 and the monopolar activation button42 in a second switch state 312 so that a complete circuit is formedwith the middle port 160B and the lower port 160C. A signal istransmitted through the middle port 160B and the lower port 160C to theinternal switching and/or CPU 74 that communicates with the voltagesource 64 so that voltage is provided through the switches 60 in thedirection 320 and through the monopolar active pin 152C to the bladeelectrode 62 and through the monopolar return pin 152D to the ground pad66. The power 68 that extends between the blade electrode 26 and theground pad 66 is a second therapy current that differs from the firsttherapy current. FIGS. 28A through 28C illustrate an electrosurgicaldevice 2 with an activation circuit 300 connected to a generator by aplurality of ports 160 and a handpiece 120 connected to the generator 8by a plurality of pins 152. The activation circuit 300 includes anactivation buttons 302 that when depressed powers the handpiece 120 anda selector 308 that changes the signal sent from the activation circuit300 to the generator 8. FIG. 28A illustrates the activation circuit 300with the activation button 302 in the first switch state 310 and open 62so that the electrosurgical device 2 is off. The activation circuit 300has three electrical paths (i.e., wires) that connect with the generator8 via an upper port 160A, a middle port 160B, and a lower port 160C. Theports 160 connect the activation circuit 300 with internal switchingand/or a CPU 74 that when receives a signal communicates with the powersource 64 powering the handpiece 120. The power source 64 directs powerthrough a series of switches 60, which as illustrated are in a neutralposition 58. The switches 60 direct the power through the plurality ofpins 160. The plurality of pins are a bipolar positive pin 152A, abipolar negative pin 152B, a monopolar active pin 152C, and a monopolarreturn pin 152D that power one or more parts of the handpiece 120 whenthe handpiece 120 is switched between a monopolar configuration and abipolar configuration.

FIG. 28B illustrates the activation button 302 in the second switchstate 312 and the selector 308 in a first position so that a signalextends through the upper port 160A and the middle port 1606 to thegenerator 8 and the internal switching and/or CPU 74. The internalswitching and/or CPU 74 communicates with the voltage source 64 so thatvoltage extends in the direction 320. The switches 60 direct the voltagethrough the bipolar positive pin 152A into a first working arm 6 andthrough the bipolar negative pin 152B into the second working arm 6.Power 68 extends between the first working arm 6 and the second workingarm 6.

FIG. 28B illustrates the activation button 302 in the second switchstate 312 and the selector in a second position so that a signal extendsthrough the upper port 160A and a lower port 160C to the generator 8 andthe internal switching and/or CPU 74. The internal switching and/or CPU74 communicates with the voltage source 64 so that voltage extends inthe direction 320. The switches 60 direct the voltage through themonopolar active pin 152C to the blade electrode 26 and the monopolarreturn pin 152D to the ground pad 66. Power 68 extends between the bladeelectrode 68 and the ground pad 66.

FIGS. 29A through 29C illustrate a close-up view of the shuttle 20 ofthe handpiece 120 and associated reconfiguration that occurs by movementof the shuttle 20. The handpiece 120 is connected to a generator 8 thatprovides voltage from a voltage source 64 that extends in the direction320 through the switches. The power exits the generator 8 from thebipolar positive pin 152A and the bipolar negative pin 152B into thehandpiece 120. The shuttle 20 is retracted so that power extends fromthe bipolar positive pin 152A into the electrical connectors 72 of thehandpiece 120 at points B and F and exits at points E and A so that thefirst working arm is powered. Similarly, power that extends through thebipolar negative pin 152B into the electrical connectors 72 at points Dand H and exits at points G and C so that the second working arm ispowered. Power 68 extends between the working arms 6 so that a therapycurrent is produced. As illustrated electrical connectors 72 betweenpoints E and I and points J and K are open.

FIG. 29B illustrates the blade electrode 26 extended between the workingarms 6 so that the ends A and C of the working arms do not align withany electrical connectors 72 and the wires of the blade electrode 26 andthe ground pad 66 are aligned as is discussed herein. Power flows in thedirection 320 form the voltage source 64 to ground pad 66. The groundpad 66 is connected at points L and K and the connector exits theshuttle at points J and D and into the generator at the bipolar negativepin 152B. Power flows from the voltage source 64 to the blade electrode26 in the direction 320 along a path through the bipolar positive pin152A then into the electrical connector 72 at points B and I until thepower travels between the blade electrode 26 and the ground pad 66.

FIG. 29C illustrates another way to power the blade electrode 26 and theground pad 66. The ground pad 66 and voltage source 64 are connectedthrough the monopolar return pin 1520 where power does not pass throughthe shuttle 20 and passes in the direction 320. The blade electrode 26is powered through the monopolar active pin 152C where power extendsthrough the shuttle 20 at points B and I and then to the tip of theblade electrode 26 where power 68 flows between the blade electrode 26and the ground pad 66.

FIGS. 30A and 30B illustrate two possible wiring schematics that may beused to power the handpiece 120 as is taught herein. FIG. 30Aillustrates an example of a four prong connector. The ground pad 66 asillustrated is directly connected to the plug at point W and isindirectly connected to the plug at point R through the shuttle T andelectrical connector at points J and K. The first working arm 6 isconnected to the plug at point N through the electrical connector atpoints E and F. The first working arm 6 is indirectly connected to theplug at point U through a connection between points M and N so thatpower can also pass through points E and F of the electrical connector74 of the shuttle 20. The second working arm is directly connected tothe plug at point R when connects through points G and H.

FIG. 30B illustrates an example of a three prong connector. The groundpad 66 is directly connected to the plug at point W. The plug at point Uis directly connected to the first working arm 6 through points E and F.The plug at point U also directly connects to the blade electrode 26when extended at point I. The plug at point N is connected to the firstworking arm at points E and F. The plug at point R is connected to thesecond working arm through points G and H.

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combinationshall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified,and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of theelements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may”herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” beincluded are optional.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step night bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or one to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as manyapplications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theteachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to theabove description, but should instead be determined with reference tothe appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to whichsuch claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles andreferences, including patent applications and publications, areincorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

We claim:
 1. An electrosurgical device comprising: a. a distal end; b. aproximal end; c. forceps including: i. a first working arm; ii. a secondworking arm; iii. a housing connecting the first working arm and thesecond working arm, wherein the first and second working arms eachinclude an immobilization arm extending from the housing, and whereinthe housing includes: i. a flexible hinge section that includes one ormore hinges; ii. a rigid stationary section located on the proximal endside of the flexible hinge section; and iii. a movable section locatedon the distal end side of the flexible hinge section; and iv. a movablewedge disposed between the immobilization arms; and d. a bladeelectrode; wherein the rigid stationary section, the movable section,and the flexible hinge section are all one monolithic piece; wherein theelectrosurgical device is capable of being switched between a firstelectrical configuration so that the electrosurgical device delivers afirst therapy current through the first working arm, the second workingarm, or both, and a second electrical configuration so that theelectrosurgical device delivers a second therapy current through theblade electrode; wherein switching the electrosurgical device from thefirst electrical configuration to the second electrical configurationadvances the wedge and immobilizes the first and second working arms sothat both the forceps and the first therapy current are disabled;wherein the one or more hinges are a pivot point for the movable sectionso that the first working arm and the second working arm rotate relativeto each other with the movable section about the one or more hinges; andwherein the one or more hinges form a generally T shape, the generally Tshape having a slot that extends between the first working arm and thesecond working arm and a head, which is an absence of material betweenthe rigid stationary section and the movable section that extendstransverse to the slot.
 2. The electrosurgical device of claim 1,wherein the second electrical configuration is a monopolarconfiguration.
 3. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein theblade electrode is extendable beyond the first working arm and thesecond working arm.
 4. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, whereinthe housing is two pieces that are connected together and each of thetwo pieces are a monolithic piece that includes the flexible hingesection, the rigid stationary section, and the movable section, andwherein the housing allows the first working arm and the second workingarm to move relative to each other while providing protection for thefirst working arm, the second working arm, and a central portion of theelectrosurgical device.
 5. The electrosurgical device of claim 1,wherein the rigid stationary section is free of movement relative to theworking arms when the working arms are moved about the one or morehinges.
 6. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the movablesection is movable about the one or more hinges so that the firstworking arm and the second working arm create a gripping force, agripping movement, or both are created.
 7. The electrosurgical device ofclaim 1, wherein the movable section includes: a first movable sectionthat extends along the first working arm and a second movable sectionthat extends along the second working arm, the first movable sectioncovering all or a portion of the first working arm and the secondmovable section covering all or a portion of the second working arm. 8.The electrosurgical device of claim 7, wherein only a tip of the firstworking arm extends distally beyond the first movable section and only atip of the second working arm extends distally beyond the second movablesection of the housing.
 9. The electrosurgical device of claim 1,wherein the rigid stationary section of the housing has a generallyC-shaped cross-section that provides a shell to surround a body of theforceps and exposes contact portions of the first working arm and thesecond working arm.
 10. The electrosurgical device of claim 1, whereinthe movable section has a generally C-shaped cross-section.
 11. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of aninternal housing and an external housing.
 12. An electrosurgical devicecomprising: a. a distal end; b. a proximal end; c. forceps including: i.a first working arm; ii. a second working arm; iii. a housing connectingthe first working arm and the second working arm, wherein the first andsecond working arms each include an immobilization arm extending fromthe housing, and wherein the housing includes:
 1. a flexible hingesection that includes one or more hinges;
 2. a rigid stationary sectionlocated on the proximal end side of the flexible hinge section; and
 3. amovable section located on the distal end side of the flexible hingesection; and iv. a movable wedge disposed between the immobilizationarms; wherein the electrosurgical device is capable of being switchedbetween a first electrical configuration so that the electrosurgicaldevice delivers a first therapy current through the first working arm,the second working arm, or both, and a second electrical configurationso that the electrosurgical device delivers a second therapy current;wherein switching the electrosurgical device from the first electricalconfiguration to the second electrical configuration advances the wedgeand immobilizes the first and second working arms: wherein the one ormore hinges are a pivot point for the movable section so that the firstworking arm and the second working arm rotate about the one or morehinges with the movable section; wherein the one or more hinges form agenerally T shape on top side of the housing and on a bottom side of thehousing, the generally T shape having a slot that extends between andgenerally parallel to the first working arm and the second working armand a head, which extends transverse to the slot between the rigidstationary section and the movable section; wherein the movable sectionincludes a first movable section that covers all or a portion of thefirst working arm and a second movable section covers all or a portionof the second working arm and the first movable section moves with thefirst working arm and the second movable section moves with the secondworking arm; and wherein the rigid stationary section of the housing andthe moveable section have a generally C-shaped cross-section thatprovides a shell to surround a body, the first working arm, and thesecond working arm of the forceps.
 13. The electrosurgical device ofclaim 12, wherein the housing is two pieces that are connected togetherand each of the two pieces are a monolithic piece that includes theflexible hinge section, the rigid stationary section, and the movablesection.
 14. The electrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein the movablesection is movable about the one or more hinges while providingprotection for the first working arm and the second working arm so thatthe first working arm and the second working arm create a grippingforce, a gripping movement, or both.
 15. The electrosurgical device ofclaim 14, wherein only a tip of the first working arm extends beyond thefirst movable section and only a tip of the second working arm extendsbeyond the second movable section of the housing.
 16. Theelectrosurgical device of claim 12, wherein the housing is made of aninternal housing and an external housing and the external housingextends over and covers the internal housing.
 17. The electrosurgicaldevice of claim 12, wherein the housing allows the first working arm andthe second working arm to move relative to each other while providingprotection for the first working arm, the second working arm, and acentral portion of the electrosurgical device.
 18. An electrosurgicaldevice comprising: a. a distal end; b. a proximal end; c. forcepsincluding: i. a first working arm; ii. a second working arm; and iii. ahousing connecting the first working arm and the second working arm,wherein the first and second working arms each include an immobilizationarm extending from the housing, and wherein the housing includes:
 1. arigid stationary section;
 2. a movable section; and
 3. a flexible hingesection that includes one or more hinges, with the rigid stationarysection being on the proximal end side of the flexible hinge section andthe movable section being located on the distal end side of the flexiblehinge section, and the flexible hinge being generally T shaped within aslot extending parallel to and between the first working arm and thesecond working arm and a head extending transverse to the slot on a topside of the housing and a bottom side of the housing, with the headbeing an absence of material in the housing between the rigid stationarysection and the movable section; and iv. a movable wedge disposedbetween the immobilization arms; and d. a blade electrode; wherein therigid stationary section, the movable section, and the flexible hingeare all one monolithic piece, and the one or more hinges are a pivotpoint for the movable section so that the first working arm and thesecond working arm rotate about the one or more hinges with the movablesection; wherein the electrosurgical device is capable of being switchedbetween a first electrical configuration so that the electrosurgicaldevice delivers a first therapy current through the first working arm,the second working arm, or both, and a second electrical configurationso that the electrosurgical device delivers a second therapy currentthrough the blade electrode; wherein switching the electrosurgicaldevice from the first electrical configuration to the second electricalconfiguration advances the wedge and immobilizes the first and secondworking arms so that both the forceps and the first therapy current aredisabled; wherein the movable section includes a first movable sectionthat covers all or a portion of the first working arm and a secondmovable section covers all or a portion of the second working arm andthe first movable section moves with the first working arm and thesecond movable section moves with the second working arm; and whereinthe rigid stationary section of the housing and the moveable sectionhave a generally C-shaped cross-section that provides a shell tosurround a body, the first working arm, and the second working arm ofthe forceps.